M GRAINGER raised questions about the recent Bavarian Festival in Parliament Street ('Bavarian folly,' Letters, May 3).

The festival organisers approached York to showcase the event here, the first they had organised in this country.

Representatives from several other towns and cities came to see it and were generally impressed and interested in following it up.

The event was part of the ongoing council policy to secure a range of events in the city centre to attract residents and visitors, with the aim of increasing spend in the city centre as a whole. The festival itself was well organised and well run and all requirements under licensing laws were fulfilled.

The event also generated a small net income which will help to meet the income target that forms part of the overall events budget for the city centre.

This year the council has increased its commitment to support the city centre economy through a new city centre partnership (and by re-focusing £70,000 of its economic development budget to support this initiative).

It is likely that events will form part of the future action plan for the partnership - reviewing existing activity and looking to enhance the programme.

The overall aim is to encourage people to come into the city centre and enjoy the shops and facilities in a friendly, safe and clean environment.

Hopefully, this will have the support of residents and businesses in the future.

Tony Bennett,

Assistant director, economic development,

City of York Council,

George Hudson Street, York.

Updated: 10:43 Monday, May 16, 2005