‘European cafes’ plan to help city traders’ recovery

PLANS HAVE been announced to create European-style pavement cafes and stalls in the heart of York to entice more families into the centre of the city.

The new features could be placed in Museum Gardens, Exhibition Square and St Helen’s Square in a move that would boost businesses.

The York Business Improvement District (BID) already has plans to put up a marquee on College Green, next to York Minster, where restaurants, cafes and shops can trade from the end of next week.

It is hoped the plans could give the city a more “European feel”.

A council report said part of Castle car park, King’s Square, Duncombe Place, Exhibition Square, Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and St Mary’s Square in the Coppergate Centre’s shopping mall are all earmarked as cafe spaces. Museum Gardens, run by the York Museums Trust rather than the council, is also being considered as a venue for cafes and stalls.

A spokesperson said: “We’re especially interested in working with partners or businesses to create a socially distanced yet family-friendly atmosphere which enhances the gardens as a green space for everyone to safely enjoy.

“The York Museums Trust is keen to support the city’s recovery and is in discussions with partners about how York Museum Gardens could be used as part of this.”

The York BID will set up the marquee for businesses to use from Friday.

A spokesperson said: “BID has been working with groups of businesses to understand how the use of public outdoor space can help their business cope with capacity limitations brought about by social distancing.”