Traders in South Bank say the new York Races traffic plan has seen their income plummet – and they are calling for it to be reviewed.
YorkMix has spoken to several businesses within the restricted zone who said their trade dropped off a cliff during the three-day Dante Festival last week.
They said it was a huge difference from last year, and would be unsustainable if carried on through the rest of the racing calendar.
Barber Patrick Wilkinson has run his business in the area for 13 years, for the last six in the Corner Barbershop on Albemarle Road.
That means he’s seen a lot of race days. “In that time, it’s got a lot better. The behaviour’s got a lot better. People police it a lot better,” he told YorkMix.
“Everybody has fallouts about the way the traffic system works, but actually I think the council one was working.”
City of York Council oversaw the raceday traffic management until this year when York Racecourse took it over. A member of the races team visited him to explain the plan beforehand, which he appreciated.
But during the Dante Festival “I’ve lost money massively, it’s down by two thirds of what I normally take”.
Patrick said the difference last year was there was more “movement and freedom. You could actually get in.”
He said previously the traffic restrictions were in force when people arrived and left the races, then lifted for the rest of the day. “This time, it’s very locked down.”
Under the revised traffic management plan, certain roads around the racecourse are closed to through traffic.
Households and businesses in the affected area have been issued with permits which, when displayed in their vehicle, allow them in and out of the restricted zone.
The plan aims to allow for for “business as usual” for residents and traders on race days, “so far as is practicable”.
It says racecourse stewards “will take a common-sense approach” to allowing access to the Residents Access Zone for delivery drivers, visitors, health and care workers, traders and shop customers.
“In effect, that doesn’t seem to be working,” Patrick said. “I’m not getting customers. And I’ve heard countless stories about locals being turned away.”
He’s not the only concerned trader. YorkMix talked to several other businesses nearby. All said trade had dropped off during the Dante Festival.
One shopkeeper said it had been “ridiculously quiet”. Their takings were down by more than 60%, costing them thousands in lost revenue.
The Dante is the first race meeting of the year. Traders are urging racecourse officials to meet with them to discuss the situation and to refine the plan so they don’t lose money on the remaining 15 race days this season.
“I make a living. I don’t make a massive profit, and so when I get knocked like that, it massively affects me,” Patrick said.
“I have to put up with a bit of bad behaviour, ‘can I use your toilet? Can I charge my phone?’
“All of that I put up with. I don’t get any customers from the races. But I would expect my regular customers to still be allowed in.”
Feedback welcomed
A York Racecourse spokesperson said: “The revisions to the traffic plan for 2026 retained much of the scheme from previous years.
“The objectives were firstly to respond to resident concerns around visiting traffic and its consequences, secondly to improve pedestrian safety in the wake of too many tragic incidents where vehicles were used as weapons.”
They said there was widespread consultation on the plan, with meetings arranged through ward councillors and the racecourse team making personal visits to local businesses.
“The intention is that access for businesses is not affected. The stewards will allow access to South Bank, balanced with meeting the request of residents to limit unsupported access,” the said.
The racecourse accepted that the new plan would take time to settle in. And they had said in the consultation that there would be learnings from the first meeting.
Feedback is welcomed and will form part of a review into the operation of the plan during the first meeting.
The spokesperson added: “It is expected that there will be different perspectives on the various aspects of a plan.
“It represents a significant investment. The racecourse believes the objectives of the plan remain important.”
