TOURISM leaders and businesses in York have spoken to the coalition Government’s Tourism Minister, John Penrose.

The minister held meetings with businesses as he visited York and Scarborough yesterday in advance of his review on public funding for tourism, due in September.

Mr Penrose visited York Minster and its stonemasons’ yard, the newly-refurbished Yorkshire Museum and had a tour of Cedar Court Grand Hotel before attending a round- table discussion at the National Railway Museum.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, said the delegates, which included representatives from York’s theatres, museums, restaurants, pubs and retailers, discussed which aspects of public-sector support are working well and how it can be developed in the future. The business leaders told the minister the current system worked well, but they could not afford to let it slip.

She said: “There’s a lot of support from businesses in York and Yorkshire and we mustn’t lose that.

“The destination marketing campaign we have in place needs to continue. The private sector wants to get behind it, but they’re also expecting help from the Government.

Mr Penrose then took the Scarborough Spa Express steam train to visit firms in Scarborough.