Rest day to be trialled at York’s Christmas market

The decision was made at the council’s Executive meeting on Tuesday 12 May. It means that on Tuesdays throughout the market, the stalls will be closed and the Goodramgate, King’s Square, Colliergate loop for Blue Badge holders will be in operation.

This will allow easier access to city centre services such as banks, shops, restaurants and more over the Christmas period. Residents and visitors will be able to do what they do at other times of the year without the various limitations, including the Blue Badge holder access restriction, arising from the Christmas Market being in operation.

The decision follows extensive discussions with North Yorkshire Police and Counter Terrorism Police as well as discussions with businesses.

Barring exceptional circumstances, such as a national or local intelligence on a specific security threat, the city centre would operate as ‘business as usual’ mode for that 1 day a week, with Blue Badge holder access through the hostile vehicle measures permitted on these days via the Goodramgate loop.

For the other days when the market is open, in line with recommended anti-terrorism measures, arrangements would be similar to last year with restrictions on vehicles within the footstreet area.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for the Economy said:

York is a fantastic place to be at Christmas with people coming together to celebrate the festive season and explore York and it’s wonderful retail and hospitality businesses.

“However, in recent years with the necessary security arrangements in place some have felt left out and cut off from the city centre, and we need to address this issue.

"In making this decision we’ve tried to strike a balance, by ensuring anyone who needs to can get into the city centre for everyday needs such as banking services, and for leisure such as enjoying York’s amazing retail and hospitality offer. We’ve opted for one of the quieter days and keeping the market open across the weekend and into Monday, which we know is important to hospitality businesses.

“We will continue to work with partners across the city so that York continues to be a special place at Christmas, including improved access for everyone while the Market is in operation.”

The recommendations that were approved at the meeting were:

1. To decide whether, on a trial basis for 2026, to progress a 6-day Christmas Market, with 10.30am to 7.00pm market operation on the operational days, and on the basis of the evidence presented, to select Tuesday as the rest day, and as part of this, on the rest day, to restrict Blue Badge access to the Goodramgate access loop only, with additional temporary Hostile Vehicle Measures to protect Church Street, Low Petergate and King’s Square from vehicles.
2. To seek a further report early in 2027 containing detailed analysis of the impacts and outcome of this trial.
3. To establish an interface group between the council and other necessary parties to ensure effective joint planning, risk assessment and mitigation, such group to include the Council’s Chief Executive, Director of Governance, Director of City Development and other officers as appropriate in order that such group will undertake an ongoing process of dynamic risk assessment to prepare for, and assess, any serious risks which may emerge, and which could impact on the proposed arrangements for any of the days.
4. That the additional costs of temporary HVM set out at 1 above be met from existing budgets. Reason: To allow the trialling of an approach to providing improvements for residents, visitors and disabled people in accessing the City Centre through reduced operating hours, and in a way which is deliverable operationally, considers the safety and security of the city centre area, and minimises economic impacts to the city.