TRADERS today criticised City of York Council over "damaging" claims that city centre shops had lost their pulling power.

York Chamber of Trade said the claims were at odds with most surveys, which showed that shopping was an increasingly important reason for coming to York.

It suggested that the claims had been published now because of the council's desire to see the Coppergate Riverside scheme go ahead than because of concern for existing retail stock.

The chamber's suggestions - which were strongly disputed today by a senior council officer - follow the publication by the authority of the results of the latest survey of visitors to York.

According to the survey, revealed in a report to next Wednesday's Economic Development and Community Safety Scrutiny Board, only eight per cent of visitors now say shopping is their main reason for coming to York, compared with 38 per cent in 1998/99.

When visitors were asked what they liked about York, only 18 per cent picked out shopping, compared with 60 per cent in 1998/99.

Chamber spokesman Michael Cross said: "The chamber is concerned that the real basis for the publication of the report is the council's desire to build on the land adjacent to Clifford's Tower, rather than concern for existing retail stock.

"We feel the Castle Precinct offers real visitor attraction to the City of York if it can fulfil its true potential as a heritage site."

He said investment in York's retail property sector was continuing apace, with the development of Equitable Life's building in Spurriergate and Harrogate fashion retailer Valpiani having taken a unit in Stonegate.

"Meanwhile, both the Oakgate Group and property company Town Centre Securities continue their investment programmes across the city centre.

"The chamber asks why, even if this new survey were valid, would the council wish to publish such a damaging assessment, particularly before council members have been consulted?"

Tony Bennett, the council's assistant director of economic development, who wrote the report, said today that there was no hidden agenda in publishing details of the survey.

He said members had simply been concerned about the figures and suggested they might be an issue worthy of further exploration.

He urged the chamber and other organisations to take the opportunity to "get together constructively" with the council.

Updated: 14:51 Friday, July 11, 2003