Businesses, residents and visitors are being asked what they love and what they’d like to change about Acomb’s Front Street.
City of York Council had committed to a £50,000 investment in Front Street, one of the city’s most important shopping areas, before the pandemic brought about even larger challenges to high streets across the UK.
Acomb’s Front Street plays a vital role in the community and the wider city, and is home to many independent retailers and community spaces.
It has a lower than national average proportion of empty units, with occupancy rates bucking the UK trend by increasing significantly in the last three years.
The council is now asking for views which will help to keep Front Street at the heart Acomb’s economy and community.
Councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for the economy and strategic planning, said: “There has never been a more important time to take a close look at and plan the futures of our shopping areas.
“The pandemic presents huge challenges for many businesses and residents. It has accelerated many of the changes generally on the high street we knew were coming, like an increase in online shopping.
“But the last year has also seen many people reconnect with their communities and use the independent, local shops which give York its special character. We want to combine that community spirit with the huge potential of Front Street to offer a welcoming place where local people can live, work and relax.
“Engaging communities safely is a challenge, so we’re combining a COVID-secure market research exercise with online engagement. The market research approach is safe and will represent a wide range of views, but we also hope many local people will join this conversation through the media and online.”
Residents can also get involved by:
- Joining the online conversation through york.gov.uk/AcombFrontStreet
- Complete our survey for residents
- Complete our survey for businesses
- Follow, like and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter