A York street trader has said he and others could be forced off their pitches during some of the busiest periods of the year under a proposed council policy.

Tom Jackson, owner of the Jackson’s of York food vendor, said proposals which would suspend their pitch consents during events including the city’s Christmas Market had put traders’ livelihoods on trial.

Council public protection lead Matthew Boxall said the authority’s draft Street Trading Policy was still in its early stages of development and they were listening to the views of traders.

Council executive member for licensing Cllr Jenny Kent said businesses would be able to trade during the Christmas Market under existing terms this year before the new policy is adopted.

It comes as the council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee agreed to consider the final proposals in February before it goes to councillors for a final decision in March.

It follows the council’s decision to extend street trading consents until March while work to draft the new policy continues.

Current draft proposals would allow traders with consent to make use of public highways within York’s bar walls when Make It York is not using them for events.

The draft policy stated it could not guarantee that consent holders would be able to trade during events put on by the council-owned tourism body.

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Consent holders would be given advance notice of events and pitch fees would be set to reflect periods when businesses would be unable to trade.

The draft policy stated businesses would be offered the opportunity to trade at events where appropriate.

York does not have a written policy governing street trading, with businesses currently operating based on guidance.

The council has said that one is required to provide greater transparency for issuing consents and operating terms.

But trader Mr Jackson said that while he and others were grateful that consents had been extended, withholding trade during peak periods could break their businesses.

Mr Jackson said: “Unfortunately our livelihoods continue to be on trial.

“My parents started this business in 1981 as a small potato wagon which they grew into a successful family-run venture, we’re a success story of York.

“We believe we’re an asset to this city, but the draft policy threatens all of this, no business could survive on these terms.

“Our business represents 100 per cent of my family’s income, the stress we have endured has been unimaginable.”

The council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee heard on Monday, September 2 that some businesses were calling for the adoption of a Street Trading Charter to protect them.

The charter proposes enshrining a guaranteed right to trade, regular meetings with the council’s licensing team and offering alternative pitches in exceptional circumstances such as road works.

Andrea Piette, of the Classic Crepe Company, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the charter sought to treat them as permanent businesses rather than temporary, seasonal traders.

Ms Piette said: “All street traders acknowledge the necessity of having a policy, but our business model operates on a boom and bust cycle which relies on trading during peak periods.

“We hire permanent staff, we use local suppliers and we use storage space in the city but York in January is very different to the run up to Christmas so it’s not an equal playing field.”

Council public protection lead Mr Boxall said they had received a range of views from businesses which they were currently reflecting on.

He added extending consents until March showed the council has listened to traders’ concerns and a further update on the proposals would be provided to councillors in November.

Licensing executive member Cllr Kent said all those affected by the new proposals would have another opportunity to give their views before a decision is taken on them.

Cllr Kent said: “The process of formulating this policy will take streets traders’ views into account and will seek to establish fairness in the use of public space.”