Correspondent M M Grainger raised questions about the recent Bavarian festival in Parliament Street (May 3).
The festival organisers approached York to showcase the event here - it was the first they had organised in the country and several other towns and cities came to see it and were generally impressed and interested in following it up.
The event formed part of the ongoing council policy of securing a range of events in the city centre to attract residents and visitors and increase spending in the city centre as a whole - aiming to create benefits for all traders.
The festival itself was well organised and run, and all requirements under licensing laws were fulfilled. The event also generated a small net income that helps to meet the income target that forms part of the overall events budget for the city centre.
The council this year has increased its commitment to supporting 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 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,
St Leonard's Place, York.
Updated: 08:32 Monday, May 09, 2005
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