Proposals that could ‘devastate decades of street trading in York city centre’ are being put on hold.
Street traders will be able to keep their pitches for at least one more Christmas Market as councillors decided to keep the status quo at least for now.
Officers had recommended a new policy, which could have seen street traders moved from their year-round pitches during the Christmas market.
That was also the preferred option by organisers Make It York. It said street traders needed to be moved so they could redesign the layout of the festive market to make it more accessible.
Margaret Rush, of Graham’s Ices, told councillors businesses could be devastated if they are moved from their pitches during the busiest time of the year.
But licensing and regulatory committee chair Cllr Rachael Melly said restricting Make It York’s ability to redesign the layout this year could pose serious accessibility issues and threaten its viability.
The council does not have a street trading policy but has begun work to draft one. A statement in an earlier draft of the policy – that Make It York could not guarantee that street traders could use their pitches during its events – sparked a backlash.
The draft policy has since been amended so that Make It York would guarantee traders an alternative pitch within the wider market at no extra cost. But traders would have to request specific spots and pay extra fees for them.
Make It York’s markets and events lead Lisa Grimbley told councillors the proposals would allow them to improve accessibility following concerns over disabled access and overcrowding.
But the committee heard that no street traders had been subject to a complaint over accessibility during the market.
Mrs Rush, whose ice cream business has traded in York city centre for more than 50 years, told councillors more work was needed to make the proposed policy acceptable for traders.
She told the meeting: “During the Christmas Market numerous pictures showed a packed city centre with overcrowding in most areas, with many choosing to stay away all together.
“But changes to the pitches have the potential to devastate decades of street trading in York city centre, we make a year-round contribution to York’s economy unlike the Christmas Market traders.
“The status quo gives us certainty for the future.”
Cllr Melly said a decision should be put back until details about this year’s Christmas Market’s layout were known.
The Labour councillor said: “We don’t know what the implications will be.
“If having this lack of flexiblity means the market is less accessible that’s a serious equalities issue.
“This could also affect the viability of the market.”
Thursday’s decision means that traders’ consents will be renewed for another year from April on their existing terms and they will only be required to move in exceptional circumstances.
Work on drafting the new street trading consent policy is set to continue.