A TOP-LEVEL business conference aimed at boosting York’s economy is to be held in the city for the first time later this year.

The event, which is to be held in October, will bring together leaders of commerce from across Yorkshire in an attempt to thrash out ideas for attracting more companies to the city.

It will also discuss ways of encouraging people to set up new York-based businesses and look at how the city’s existing companies can be supported in their bid to expand.

Setting up an annual business conference was among the commitments made by City of York Council’s Labour group in its manifesto for last month’s local elections, which saw it take control of the authority.

Council leader James Alexander said: “York’s economy is relatively strong, especially in comparison with other northern cities, but there is more we can do.

“The recession has had a significant impact on many of our businesses and I am committed to finding ways to support them. But I also want to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in York, encouraging the creation of new businesses and attracting companies to the city."

In their election manifesto, Labour said one of the chief aims of the conference was to “get businesses talking to each other” and ensure lines of dialogue were opened up between them and the council.