Free music to the ears of York shoppers
A WORLD-CLASS free concert is being staged in York Minster to help boost the buzz of the ancient streets around the cathedral.
The two-part concert for all comers is being dubbed an “Afro-Saxon Soundclash” and will feature two world premieres to launch York’s new Minster Quarter.
Shops, artists and other businesses like the Dean Court Hotel, are working with the minster and City of York Council, to form “a cultural and commercial identity” to attract extra visitors – including local people – to the area. Key sponsors include Sarah Coggles and Mulberry Hall.
The Minster Quarter includes streets such as Gillygate, High and Low Petergate, Stonegate and Goodramgate.
Some of Britain’s finest shopping and cultural experiences can be found in the historic streets of the Minster Quarter. There are almost 300 independent shops, bars and restaurants delivering a mix impossible to find in most British cities.
Despite its attractions locals have been giving the Minster Quarter a wide berth, dismissing it as a tourist district.
Tourists in turn are in sightseeing mode, not shopping, in the district. To counter this, the Minster Quarter team was established a year ago by artist Ewan Allinson of design business, Kingdom, on Low Petergate, and York City Centre Manager Carolyn Dunn.
David Brooks, general manager of the Dean Court Hotel, who is chairing the new initiative, said that York Council was watching the progress of the project, and might use it as a model to roll out in other areas of the city.
“With plans moving forward for the multi-million-pound Minster piazza, the area will become even more attractive for locals and tourists alike. As a business based in the area, I am extremely happy to support this venture,” he said.
A Minster Quarter street-festival is being planned for Spring next year and work is underway to establish York in the years to come as the European city where African and European traditions collaborate.
