The local authority will be arranging focus groups with licensees in January and February and surveying food and drinks outlets during the festive period’s later opening hours to gauge its impact on trade.
York After Five
The plans are designed to maximise the success of York After Five, a campaign looking into the night-time economy’s impact on residents, businesses, the city’s economy – including jobs – and visitors.
City of York Council has also launched a consultation on a potential extension of the boundary of the cumulative impact zone and on issues surrounding the growing number of off-licensed premises in the city centre.
Feedback
Feedback from these new research strands will be presented in Spring 2014, along with the outcome of the consultation on a proposed late-night levy and existing work by the Alcohol, Violence and Night Time Economy (AVANTE) group, a city-wide partnership addressing alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and crime in the city centre at night.
'Holistic view'
Councillor Linsay Cunningham-Cross, cabinet member for crime and stronger communities, 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 – residents and visitors alike.
“Taking a holistic view of necessary actions, the likely impact of our new five-year strategy and how it can be supported is key to its long term success.
“With a new city marketing organisation being developed to build on the way York is promoted as a visitor destination and business location, striking the right balance between the appropriate regulation of alcohol, its impact and initiatives to grow business and jobs is one we want to get right.”