SIX weeks today, the air will be heavy with the fragrance of sprouts and gravy.

Dad will be snoring through the Queen's speech while exhausted and fractious kids fight over what Santa brought them.

Christmas is indeed a special time of year. And the season of good cheer officially begins here. Tonight the first set of lights, in Coppergate, are switched on, and in two weeks late night Christmas shopping begins.

Judging by the experience of previous years, those Thursday nights should see thousands of residents and visitors touring the shops for gifts.

But city and business leaders should watch with renewed interest this time, to learn lessons about reviving York's year-round late night shopping.

Of course Christmas is unique, in retailing as well as religious terms. We learn today that Britons' average spend on the festive season will be £868. No doubt that spree will add to our tottering consumer debt mountain, but our here-and-now consumer culture means goodwill to all shopkeepers, in the short term at least.

There is more to the success of festive late night shopping than the Christmas spending frenzy, however. People come here because of the ambience. And that does not include the lights: until recently, York's illuminations have been notably feeble.

Tonight, pupils from primary schools will be singing Christmas songs. Similar entertainment on future nights will enhance York's charm. There will be stalls, buskers... excitement.

And that is what is needed in the rest of the year: a late night shopping experience. Imagine shoppers thronging York city centre late on a summer's night, enjoying the footstreet theatre and music.

With some planning and imagination, we really could retain a little Christmas magic all year round.

Updated: 10:01 Thursday, November 13, 2003