Leaders to back plan to ‘reimagine’ city centre

A plan called “Reimagining York Streets” will identify investment opportunities, development and improvements for York’s historic city centre.

The plan, which will receive funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, York City Council and its partners will also better connect the city centre with change taking place in different locations, such as Coney Street, York Central and the Minster Neighbourhood Plan.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of the council and executive member for economy and culture said: “We are incredibly proud of our city centre which is already recognised the world over, bucking trends across the country with more visitors and higher shop occupancy than the national and regional average.

“York’s strong and vibrant independent business sector is at the heart of our local economy and this, together with the outstanding festivals and events and beautiful built heritage make the city centre a unique, and much loved, national treasure.

“We are determined to make the city centre the best place it can be for residents and businesses as well as the millions of visitors who are welcomed here every year.

“This new plan, Reimagining York’s Streets, aims to bring economic benefits which will benefit everyone across the city with more skilled jobs, investment, travel and leisure opportunities.

“In the coming months we will start in-depth engagement with residents, businesses and visitors to make sure the city centre is an even better place we can all be proud of.”

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, added: “York’s city centre is the heart of our region’s economy, culture, and heritage.

“I was pleased to support the Reimagining York Streets plan through the Mayoral Investment Fund, investing in the future and ensuring our city centre remains a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving space for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

“By working together with the community, we can shape a city centre that is not only beautiful and welcoming but also future-ready.”

In October 2024 at the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Committee Meeting, £430,000 from the Mayoral Investment Fund was approved to develop a public realm improvement strategy for city centre public spaces, delivery strategy and identified pipeline of capital regeneration projects.