An independent shop in York has slammed the "hideous" barrier that has been put in front of its shop for the busy Christmas Market period.

Earlier this month City of York Council's executive decided to restore limited Blue Badge access to the city centre having originally banned such access during the Christmas Market period.

Blue Badge holders are now allowed to enter the city centre through the anti-terror bollards in Goodramgate from 5pm-7pm during the Christmas market period.

However, to protect against any vehicle allowed access being used as a 'hostile vehicle', the council has installed a temporary barrier and gate at the top of Church Street, at its junction with Low Petergate.

The gate will now be closed during the times that Blue Badge holders can drive into the city centre.

The council said the barrier "needed" to be installed.

However, one side of the barrier sits in front of the Great Yorkshire Sweet Shop. Shop manager Gina Varley spoke to The Press on the day it was installed.

The bollard in Church Street (Image: Harry Booth) She said: "They were here this morning when we came to work, they did come last week to measure but there was no consultation. We did say at the time that we weren't happy with them being here.

"We get what its for but our issue is that it's only going to be closed between 5pm and 7pm, but it has to sit here the whole time. They could've just done what they've done before which is bring a sign down from Goodramgate and man it for two hours.

"It's also covering the drain which always blocks and needs flushing, so that is now going to be an issue to get unblocked.

The bollard in Church Street (Image: Harry Booth) "We just think, for the problem it's meant to solve, it's a lot of overkill. This is here for four weeks, we're an independent business and we need the trade at this time of year."

Gina added that a lot of customers typically take photos in front of the shop's distinctive frontage, which she feared had now been "ruined".

"It's just hideous, and it's totally overboard for the two hours it's needed."

The council's director of transport, environment and planning, James Gilchrist, said: "We appreciate this is a later change to the way the Christmas Market operates. 

"Last week, the council’s executive made a decision to allow Blue Badge holders access to this area during the Christmas Market two hours earlier, from 5pm rather than 7pm.

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"As a result of this, a barrier needed to be installed on Church Street for safety reasons to protect those working in and visiting the city centre. This was installed earlier this week which was supervised by counter terrorism police. The barrier will be in use between 5pm and 7pm as a necessary additional hostile vehicle measure.

"Following feedback from businesses we installed a different type of barrier as we worked to find the most appropriate and least disruptive safety measure.

"Access to businesses on Church Street is being maintained at all times and this temporary barrier will be removed the first week in January.

"We do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"Longer term we are working with Make it York and other partners to find solutions around access to the Christmas Market which would remove the need for temporary measures such as those in Church Street."