Late and great

WALK through York city centre after office hours and you may experience an eerie feeling of living in a ghost town. Empty streets, closed shops and hardly a person in sight - it's as if the city has gone to sleep.

Life starts to return at around 8pm, when people re-emerge to go to pubs and restaurants.

But all this is about to change. Well, on Thursdays at least.

More than 70 city centre shops have agreed to stay open late every Thursday as part of a drive to turn York into a Continental-style city, where you can shop, eat and enjoy a drink until late into the evening.

Among the shops which will be open until 8pm on Thursdays will be Allders, BHS, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Habitat, Littlewoods, Laura Ashley and Boots. Fashion stores such as Next, Gap, Monsoon and Dorothy Perkins are also taking part as are local, independent traders The Japanese Shop, in Coppergate, SOTA hairdressing in Micklegate and Jonathan Cainer horoscopes in Stonegate.

And if the evenings are a success, late-night shopping may be extended to other nights of the week, with more traders joining in.

Diana Dickson, chairman of the chamber of commerce's retail committee, said late-night shopping had been fuelled by the desires of high street retailers, but she believed more independent shops were likely to follow suit.

She said: "The smaller retailers will look at it and come on board a little bit later."

She added: "It's all part of bringing York into the 21st century when it comes to the evening economy. We don't want York to go quiet at 5pm. York is changing and is falling more in line with cities in Europe."

To coincide with late-night opening, a range of entertainment events are planned to make Thursday night shopping an attractive prospect for residents and tourists alike.

This week, an Easter Craft Fair is being held in Parliament Street and a couple of bands will be playing music in the city centre.

In practical terms, foot-street hours are being extended on Thursday night, with provision for essential access for residents and deliveries. Park and Ride buses will be running later and car parks will stay open longer. The last Park and Ride buses will be leaving the city centre at 8.35pm with the Park and Ride car parks staying open until 9pm. Car parks in the city centre will be open longer, with the Piccadilly and Shambles car parks staying open until 8.30pm, with no charge after 6.30pm.

The city council, the chamber of commerce and leading retailers have been working together to launch late-night shopping with the intention of kick-starting the evening economy of the city.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said late-night shopping was long overdue and hoped it extended beyond Thursday evenings.

He said: "Ideally, we'd like an evening economy functioning in York throughout the week. I think there is a general will to achieve an evening economy. If we can get the city centre buzzing, with pavement cafs open and signs that things are going on, then people will feel there are things to do before the pubs and restaurants get going.

"There are knock-on benefits too, in terms of staggering the times when people go home, which might ease traffic congestion."

Undoubtedly, a vibrant York nightlife will be good news for tourists too, who spend £100 million on shopping, which in itself is one of the main reasons people visit the city.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "The introduction of late-night shopping is great news for York's tourism industry and we're delighted that so many retailers are backing it. We are keen to see York develop its evening economy so visitors and residents alike have plenty to do after the usual closure of shops and attractions at 5.30pm. We will be encouraging attractions, bars, restaurants and cafs to follow suit and we hope that this is just the start of things to come."

Borders bookstore in Davygate can vouch for the benefits of late-night shopping. It stays open Monday-Saturday until 9pm and believes customers welcome the chance to shop 'after hours'.

Andrew Nixon, of Borders, said: "We get a steady footfall of customers throughout the evening. It's a haven for people who don't want a night out in the pub. It's great for women on their own, as it is easier to arrange to meet someone in a bookshop than in a pub."

Late-opening also allows the store to host events, including reading groups and language classes. It also lends a more laid-back and relaxed attitude to shopping. Andrew said: "People like the fact they can come in and spend time browsing. Evening shopping is much less stressful - I know I like to go to the supermarket in the evening."

Tony Bennett, assistant director of economic development for the city council, said the hope was for late-night opening to become a central part of York life. To this end, the council has dreamt up a marketing tag, York Evenings, in order to sell the idea. Other plans include spending money to light up city centre buildings.

Mr Bennett said: "We are putting together a programme of events so that something will be taking place on every Thursday evening, whether that be music, theatre or markets. We hope to make it more attractive, so that people have a nice time in the streets of York. It's not just about shopping, but about cultural activities too. We hope people will come and do a bit of shopping, enjoy a meal and go to the theatre. Hopefully, it will be really successful."

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Send us your views on late-night shopping and the development of York's so-called 'evening economy'.

Contact: Features, Evening Press,

76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN or email via above link.

Updated: 11:28 Tuesday, April 15, 2003