Shambles traders’ anger as new security barriers block deliveries – just in time for Christmas

Traders on Shambles in York have hit out at security barriers which stop delivery vehicles from accessing the street.

Phil Pinder from York Retail Forum, who runs a business on the famous street, says there was no consultation on completely closing the Shambles.

In a tweet he asked The City of York Council “What is your power to do this? How are we supposed to get delivery vans up the street? Pallet trucks also now restricted.”

He added “Just to reiterate I’m not against keeping Shambles shoppers safe this Christmas.

“I’m against the static barriers that prevent deliveries to our street, we just want equal access like the Christmas Market have with staffed barriers.”

Mike Gaskell of Shambles Traders told YorkMix Radio: “It wasn’t fully communicated to us.

“It’s causing certain businesses problems due to the fact that they have large amounts of goods delivered, which they have to keep bringing in on a daily or weekly basis due to the Christmas rush.

“And as a result, getting that stuff into the shops is very difficult, because they to move it by hand from either the bottom or the top of the Shambles, down to their shops.

“They sent a letter out telling us that they were going to put the barriers up around the city telling us when the market was starting, and when they were looking to put barriers out.

“But I don’t think they actually confirmed that there was actually a complete and utter road closure for the Shambles.”

City of York Council executive member Cllr Andrew Waller, said: “Have raised with officers who are working through solutions to help businesses – it was different to last year and so there should have been notice given so that we had these discussions before they arrived.”