Plans to introduce a rest day during the York Christmas Market would impact city security, police have told York council.
But the council looks set to press ahead, and bring in new, temporary barriers alongside the steel bollards to add extra protection.
The council wants to close the festive market every Tuesday to allow the city centre to be accessible to all, including Blue Badge holders.
Under the Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) which aims to protect the market from vehicle-based terrorist attack, all cars are barred from pedestrianised streets during its operating hours.
Closing the market and suspending the ATTRO every Tuesday would allow disabled residents city centre access one day a week during the six-week market.
But both North Yorkshire Police (NYP) and Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSA) have advised the council that this measure will reduce the city’s security.
“In common with their previous advice, both CTSA and NYP consider that 7-day operation of the temporary ATTRO will provide the greatest security for the operation of the city centre, notwithstanding the proposed introduction of a rest day for the Christmas Market,” says a report going to next week’s council executive meeting.
“Counter Terrorism Security Advisors and NYP have been clear in their advice that the decision to reduce the operation of the temporary ATTRO to 6 days per week (excluding the proposed Christmas Market rest day) would be a decision for City of York Council to make based on the council’s threat, risk, and vulnerability assessment, and any associated risks will sit with City of York Council.
“Their recommendation is that this issue should be recorded on the City of York Council corporate risk register.”
The council looks set to go ahead with the Tuesday rest day as a trial during this year’s market.
The report recommends that only the Blue Badge holders’ ‘Goodramgate Loop’ would operate – allowing cars between Deangate, King’s Square, and Colliergate, but with Church Street not accessible.
The ‘Lendal Loop’ through Blake Street, St Helen’s Square, Lendal wouldn’t operate as this would reduce interactions between vehicles and pedestrians, “and ensure that these take place in the location which is has the lower risk profile”.
Temporary hostile vehicle lift-arm barriers would be placed at the entrances to Low Petergate, Church Street, and Newgate/ Shambles, with a static barrier along the edge of the King’s Square adjacent to Colliergate.
Blue Badge holders would be allowed through.
The barriers and the staff to operate them would cost an additional £50,000.
Up to £7.8m loss
The report says it is impossible to quantify the exact financial benefit to York of the Christmas market, but “anecdotal reports from Make It York suggest a positive impact on the city economy in the region of £80m-£100m”.
There’s a a 17.18% increase in footfall during the first week of the Christmas Market over the week before, suggesting its popularity with visitors.
The council report estimates that York would take a financial hit of between £2.6m and £7.82m if the market was closed every Tuesday.
“This is a significant impact, particularly in the context of broader pressures on businesses operating in affected sectors,” it says.
Market traders and nearby businesses have already told councillors that closing the market for a day would have significant impact on their earnings and staff.
“The economic impacts and risks of the approach should be weighed against the benefits that will result from the proposals,” the report says.
“Creating time during this busy period for residents and visitors to quietly enjoy the city centre, and access essential services will bring key benefits,” it adds.
It also notes: “There is a need to ensure that any changes to the hours of operation are very well communicated to guard against potential reputational damage to the city from visitors being unaware of rest days and visiting the city with the expectation that the market is operating.”
Councillors will decide whether to go-ahead with trialling a six-day, 10.30am-7pm Christmas Market at the executive meeting on Tuesday, 12 May.
