WITH regard to the “problems” with York’s Newgate Market (The Press, December 8), why can’t the events presently staged in Parliament Street be transferred to a cleaned-up Newgate?

The pavement cafés are only suitable for proper use for about four months of the year; the rest of the time their only customers are those who need a cigarette with their beverage.

Parliament Street businesses would benefit from the extra footfall and be pleasanter places without the discordant noises often emanating from these outsiders. As for clutter, the event going on this week looked untidy and out of place.

The report admits the ‘dead space’ at the rear of Marks & Spencer was problematic due to its hidden location. How can you expect traders to take stalls in a place where they are unlikely to be seen and visited?

Splash Palace would make an ideal spot for the meat, fish and cheese stalls which require running water.

It is time to put York people and traders first. After all, in most continental cities, and some British ones, the local market takes pride of place in a prominent place and so becomes a tourist attraction.

Alec Acomb, Hillcrest Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York.