York’s night life under more scrutiny

How can York create a safe and successful evening economy?

That is the question the York After Five project aims to answer. Now City of York Council has sanctioned further research which will:

• consider changing the position of cameras that records footfall on city centre streets to get a more accurate idea of how many people use them and when
• survey businesses taking part in York’s late night Christmas shopping to gauge the impact on trade
• hold focus groups with pub landlords and others in the licensed trade.

The research will add to work done by the AVANTE group (Alcohol, Violence and Night Time Economy), a city-wide partnership to address anti-social behaviour and crime incidents fuelled by excessive alcohol consumption in the city centre at night.

The council has also submitted a bid to Visit England to improve cultural events for the 5-7pm time period in the city-centre.

Councillor Linsay Cunningham-Cross said: “Building on York’s success story is hugely important to the city’s future prosperity and to the security of those enjoying what York has to offer in the evening.”