Make It York News

Leaders from across the city have sent an open letter to the Chancellor urgently calling for a comprehensive package of support for the hospitality and retail sectors which have been hit hard by the impact of the Covid crisis and ongoing lockdown restrictions.  

The letter has been signed by key business leaders and organisations from across the city, including Greg Dyke, Chair of Make It York, Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, David Kerfoot MBE, DL, Chairman of York and North Yorkshire LEP, Carolyn Frank, Development Manager for Federation of Small Businesses North Yorkshire and Andrew Lowson, Executive Director, York Business Improvement District.  

The letter calls for a coordinated, comprehensive package of support for the sectors – including confirmation that the current reduced level of VAT will be maintained for a minimum of twelve months following the end of any final lockdown – and that the Business Rates relief and the furlough scheme will similarly be extended.  

City leaders further call for the Chancellor to consider a range of targeted government grants for the sector to deal with the ongoing challenges created by the pandemic. The letter also urges for an introduction from April 2021 of a new government-guaranteed, zero interest business loan scheme to ensure businesses have the necessary working capital or cashflow to restart post-pandemic. 

Greg Dyke, Chair of Make It York said, “Safeguarding the future of York’s hospitality and retail industry is absolutely vital and more must be done by the Government to protect and support the many businesses in the city within these sectors. The additional support measures we’re calling for are critical for ensuring that these sectors thrive post-pandemic, and that we protect businesses and jobs within the city.”  

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, commented: “Since the very beginning of this pandemic, we have been urging the Government to back York and provide the necessary funding to our local business community to help them through this incredibly challenging time. 

“With the economic impact of Covid-19 becoming ever more apparent, I am pleased to be joining partners from across the city to urge the Government to step up on this issue and provide a comprehensive package of support for York’s hospitality and retail sectors.  York has the qualities to build back better from this pandemic, but the Government must provide the funding to support our recovery and most importantly, protect businesses, jobs and livelihoods. 

The letter is included in full below and is on the Make It York website here.    

Dear Chancellor, 

We are writing on behalf of the hospitality and retail sectors in York, including hotels, pubs, shops, restaurants and other leisure venues. 

While we are very appreciative of the support government has provided to our sectors, most recently through the one-off grants of up to £9,000, we believe the industry, together with its extensive supply chain, has reached such a critical point that its survival in any recognisable form is now in doubt. In York alone, hundreds of businesses, all previously going concerns, and 10,000 jobs are at immediate risk of being lost unless decisive action is taken now. 

As such, we are calling for coordinated, comprehensive package of support for the sectors, including: 

1. Confirmation that the current reduced level of VAT will be maintained for a minimum of 12 months following the end of any final lockdown. 

2. Confirmation that Business Rates relief and the furlough scheme will similarly be extended. 

3. The replacement of the government’s current Code of Practice for Commercial Property Relationships During the COVID-19 Pandemic with mandatory provisions requiring landlords to reduce rents by 50% on properties occupied by tenants whose businesses are prohibited from trading by COVID-19 restrictions. This is necessary to avoid the accumulation of impossible levels of rent arrears which will preclude otherwise viable businesses opening again post-pandemic. With respect to smaller landlords, it may be necessary for government to underwrite the 50% rent loss. 

4. A range of targeted government grants for the sector to deal with the ongoing challenges. In particular, grants to facilitate the installation of air scrubbing UV ventilation systems, so important in dealing with indoor transmission and eliminating COVID and any future similar outbreaks. 

5. The introduction from April 2021 of a new government-guaranteed, zero interest business loan scheme, with realistic repayment thresholds and flexible timescales. Without these loans otherwise viable businesses will not have the working capital or cashflow necessary to restart post-pandemic. 

We fully appreciate the enormous current demands on government and on the public purse. We make this appeal however on the basis that this package, and its ability to secure the futures of hundreds of viable businesses, will prove to be significantly less costly to UK plc than the alternative of not acting now. 

We are very happy to meet, virtually or if conditions allow in person, to discuss further and provide any necessary additional information if that would be helpful. 

Yours sincerely 

Greg Dyke, Chair, Make It York 

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader, City of York Council 

David Kerfoot MBE, DL, Chairman, York and North Yorkshire LEP 

Andrew Lowson, Executive Director, York Business Improvement District 

Carolyn Frank, Development Manager for Federation of Small Businesses North Yorkshire – On behalf of FSB York 

Martin Bradnam, Chairperson, Hospitality Association York 

Phil Pinder, Chairperson, York Retail Forum 

Harkirit Boparai, York Music Venue Network 

Paul Crossman, Operator of three public houses in York 

Cc.Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer  

     Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central 

For further information please contact:  

Amy Goodman, Consumer Communications Manager 

Email: comms@makeityork.com   

Notes to editors: 

About Make It York  

Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings – nationally and internationally – as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. Its mission is to grow the economic prosperity and wider wellbeing of York and its citizens. In practice, this means delivering a range of projects and programmes based around our four corporate strategic priorities.  These are:  

• City positioning and profile-raising 
• Inward Investment and network building 
• Ensuring an exciting city centre 
• Delivering the city’s ground-breaking Cultural Strategy 

The brand new #LoveYork Awards, a fun and inclusive social media initiative, is being launched by Visit York today (Monday 25^th January) to lift spirits and showcase York’s amazing leisure tourism, hospitality and retail businesses. 

The #LoveYork Awards will take place across Visit York social media channels with York residents and virtual ‘visitors’ invited to vote for their favourite York businesses and experiences nominated for each of the 11 award categories.  

The virtual awards will support York’s leisure tourism, hospitality and retail businesses by showcasing the great work they’ve done over the last year, as well as their resilience, creativity and passion. A number of award categories focus on the ‘best of the best’ experiences and initiatives introduced by organisations during the period of national lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions. Voters are encouraged to choose their favourite virtual and foodie experiences, to cast their votes for businesses who’ve gone above and beyond in the ‘Going the Extra Mile’ award category and to choose the true ‘Lockdown Hero’.  

The #LoveYork Awards are also looking to the future, asking people to vote for the restaurants and cafes, bars and pubs, hotels and B&Bs, as well as attractions and events they are looking forward to returning to and experiencing again the most, once the restrictions are lifted and it is safe for everyone to do so. The competition is expected to be especially fierce among attractions, experiences and food and drink venues – with York boasting a large number of fantastic businesses in these sectors.  

With such a diverse local independent shopping scene, #LoveYork Awards are also keen to recognise the people’s ‘Favourite York Independent Shopping Experience’ as well as finding out who will take home the title of ‘Most Surprising York Hidden Gem’.  

Ashley Young, Senior Marketing Manager at Make It York, said:

“The #LoveYork Awards are an exciting new initiative created by our team to celebrate the city and the innovative and resilient businesses that we have in York – from world class attractions and independent retailers to diverse and unique hospitality organisations.  

“We are excited to promote all nominated businesses across our social media channels, showcasing the great work they’ve done throughout the last year – by bringing innovative ideas and valuable support to York residents and fans of the city from across the globe. We hope that this virtual event will make both nominees and voters proud to be living, working, and doing business in York, showing why we all really #LoveYork and inspiring future visitors to experience the city.” 

The #LoveYork Awards is one of the initiatives launched by Make It York as part of the overarching #LoveYork campaign to champion the city’s unique offer and promote York’s diverse range of indie businesses and attractions. Other initiatives include the #LoveYork Virtual Market, #KidsLoveYork Educational hub and the virtual ‘York At Home’ experiences hub.  

To cast your votes, visit www.visityork.org/loveyorkawards. Vote closes at 5PM on Wednesday 10 February 2021. 

Find out more about the #LoveYork campaign here: www.visityork.org/explore/loveyork 

ENDS 

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Full list of #LoveYork Awards categories and nominations:  

Favourite York Virtual Experience  

Nominations:  

Castle Howard, Dorian Deathly Dark Tours, Shadows of York Tours, The Bloody Tour of York, The Treasure Hunt York, Brew York, Yorkshire Air Museum – 360 VR Halifax Bomber, Anne Lister tour, National Railway Museum, Mansion House behind the scenes, #CuratorBattle – York Museums Trust, JORVIK online classes 

The Restaurant I Can’t Wait to Dine At 

Nominations: 

The Cut & Craft, Lucia Restaurant, Plush Café, Ippuku Tea House, Forest Restaurant (at Galtres Lodge), Grantley Hall restaurants, Ambiente Tapas, The Drovers Arms, Roots York, Los Moros, Fancy Hank’s, The Impossible Bar 

An Attraction or Experience I’ll Be Visiting First After Lockdown 

Nominations: 

Castle Howard, York Theatre Royal, York Maze, Dorian Deathly Tours, Shadows of York, BOBH – Day Trips from York, The Bloody Tour of York, Can You Escape? York, Eden Camp, Mother Shipton’s Cave, National Railway Museum, York Minster, JORVIK Viking Centre, City Cruises York, Cookery School at The Grand York, The York Dungeon

The Most Surprising York Hidden Gem 

Nominations: 

The Blue Bell, Plush Café, Ippuku Tea House, Galtres Lodge, Mother Shipton’s Cave, Brathwaite Gallery, Taylor Made Kitchen, The Dark Horse Espresso Bar, The Bar Convent, According to McGee, Springwood Shepherd Huts, Holgate Windmill, Barley Hall, Mansion House, Jorvik DIG, Merchant Adventurer’s Hall, Fairfax House, The York Dungeon

The Pub/Bar I’ll Be Heading to First 

Nominations: 

The Blue Bell, The House of Trembling Madness, The Drovers Arms, The Impossible Bar, The Market Cat, Brew York, The Lamb and Lion Inn, The Printer’s Apprentice, Walmgate Ale House 

Favourite Lockdown Foodie Experience 

Nominations: 

Plush Cafe afternoon tea, Ippuku Tea House, Ambiente Tapas, Taylor Made Kitchen, Na Na Noodles, The Dark Horse Espresso Bar, The Drovers Arms, Taylor Made Kitchen, Yuzu street food, Shambles Market Food Court, That Fudge Guy, SPARK: York, Dough Eyed Pizza 

Going the Extra Mile Award 

Nominations: 

Castle Howard, Deathly Dark Tours, Shadows of York, The Bar Convent a ‘Choir of Angels’ project, The House of Trembling Madness, Ainsty Ales, York Theatre Royal, York Gin, Love Cheese, Pairings Wine Bar, National Centre for Early Music, SPARK: York 

The Event I’m Eager to Attend 

Nominations: 

Castle Howard Proms, York Balloon Fiesta, York Maze Hallowscream, York Races, York Ice Trail, JORVIK Viking Festival, York Christmas Festival, Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outler, York Pride, Residents Festival, York Food & Drink Festival, Rugby League World Cup 2021, York City Football Club matches, York City Knights 

Home Away from Home Award 

Nominations: 

Alma York, Grantley Hall, Galtres Lodge, 109 Nunnery Lane, Goodramgate Apartments, Roomzzz Aparthotel, The Grand York, Middlethorpe Hall, The Principal York, Springwood Shepherd Huts, The Enchantment Chamber, Jollydays, 23 St Mary’s, Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, Grays Court, Woodlands Farm Thimbleby 

Favourite York Independent Shopping Experience 

Nominations: 

Castle Howard Farm Shop, York Ghost Merchants, The House of Trembling Madness, The Zentist, Plush Cafe Boutique Shop, Shambles Market, Azendi Jewellery, The Potions Cauldron, Ancestral Name, Demijohn, The Shop that Must not be Named, York Gin, Rafi’s Spicebox, That Fudge Guy, Asgard, Bradley’s Jevellers 

Lockdown Hero Award 

Nominations: 

Dorian Deathly Dark Tours, Shadows of York, York Theatre Royal, Fairfax House & York Civic Trust, Dean Court Hotel, York Art Gallery, The Supper Collective, SPARK: York, Caesars  

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Notes to Editor 

Make It York  

Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings – nationally and internationally – as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. The company’s remit covers leisure and business tourism, city centre management, festivals and events, business support and inward investment.  

Visit York is a part of Make It York and is the leisure tourism brand  

Under the brand Visit York, Make It York’s aim is to market York as a must-see world-class destination to the leisure visitor and ensure investment to develop the quality of tourism in York.  

For more information please contact:  

Ana Ignatova – Communications Executive 
Email: ana.ignatova@makeityork.com 

Welcome to the Make It York weekly update, with the latest information and business support measures available, as well as updates on our activities and opportunities to get the most out of working with us.

Next week (25th – 31st January 2021) sees York venues come together as part of Independent Venue Week, to raise awareness of the standout venues across the city and their ongoing support of local and national artists. This year’s eclectic online programme includes pre-recorded content from The Crescent Community Venue, The National Centre For Early Music and The Fulford Arms. There’s something for everyone to enjoy – ranging from participatory singing events and Medieval, Middle Eastern and Celtic music through to spoken word, Americana and upcoming Indie Bands.

For #IVW21 in York the focus will be on digital content for all to enjoy. It features as part of Make It York’s #LoveYork campaign activity, which celebrates the city’s indie businesses and showcases the diversity of York’s offer for residents and virtual visitors.

More details of this year’s programme in York can be found at www.visityork.org/explore/loveyork/independent-venue-week and each individual venues website for details of their upcoming shows.

Now in its 8th year, Independent Venue Week is a nationwide 7-day celebration of music venues around the country and a nod to the people that own, run and work in them, week in, week out.

Each year, hundreds of venues across the UK take part in Independent Venue Week, inviting a huge host of exciting artists to play exclusive shows up and down the country in celebration of independent venues and their communities. The initiative provides a huge spotlight on the grassroots ecosystem within the live music sector – an ecosystem which includes not only the venues and the people that own, run and work in them, but also artists, managers, crew as well as kit, merch, ticketing and tour transport companies and the all-important music fans and gig-goers. So far this year over 100 venues have signed up to take part nationwide, and three of York’s nationally recognised venues will be taking part.

From the Crescent Community Venue and The Fulford Arms to Viccy Vault and The National Centre for Early Music, 2020 has been a challenging year for the music venues of York, but #IVW21 promises to be a celebration of their resilience and the key part they play in our local communities.

Chris Sherrington from Independent Venue Week and The Fulford Arms York:

“It is a great opportunity for us to champion the amazing cultural venues that York has and bring them straight into people’s front rooms. Whilst we would love to be out enjoying live music in these wonderful venues, #IVW21 offers and opportunity for everyone to enjoy the great online content that these venues and the amazing artists they host, to reach out to their local communities.”

Sean Bullick, Managing Director of Make It York said:

“York has an eclectic music scene with some outstanding venues – from Fulford Arms and the Crescent Community Venue to The National Centre for Early Music – and we are incredibly proud of the music talent and diversity of venues we have in the city.

“This year’s programme of online content and events is a real celebration of the resilience and creativity of the music industry in the city and we are delighted to be supporting their activity as a key part of our #LoveYork campaign. We’ve created a new website hub to bring together the events on offer for people to enjoy and over the coming weeks will be helping to spread the word and shout about all the great work these venues do in our local community.”

Sybil Bell, founder of Independent Venue Week, comments:

“We are fully aware that as we announce plans for Independent Venue Week 2021, there is still uncertainty about what will be possible across the week even with less than 2 weeks to go. And we are acutely aware that there are still some venues fighting for their survival. It’s hugely important to us that we are sensitive to everyone in our community and where they are at, as we announce our plans.

We have spoken to lots of our venues since lockdown started in March as well as partners we work with who make shows happen, and very early on, so many people asked us to make sure Independent Venue Week went ahead and that it was needed now, more than ever.

More recently, much of our community have been looking at ways to make Independent Venue Week work for them and it’s been heartwarming to see so many people approach us with ideas about how they want to get involved.

It’s clear Independent Venue Week won’t be the usual 7 days of hundreds of shows with 3 artist bills this year but this presents us with opportunities to dig deeper and hear from a whole range of people and organisations about their role in grassroots live music, often from those who are behind the scenes.

What is very clear is that everyone we’re speaking with, ourselves included, want to kick off 2021 with a sense of optimism and to look to the future in a positive way.”

York Independent Venues Week Programme of Activity:

Monday 25th Jan – 1:45pm – Cuppa & Chorus – National Centre For Early Music

This is a participatory singing event where singers are able to see and hear Music Leader Chris and chat to friendly faces. Join from 1.45, with singing starting at 2pm, a virtual tea break half way through (bring your mug!) and finishing up around 3.15pm. Tickets are £3.50 each https://www.ncem.co.uk/events/cuppa-and-a-chorus-3/

Tuesday 26th Jan – 7pm – Joglaresa – National Centre For Early Music

This concert was recorded & live streamed at the NCEM (with a small audience) on 8th December 2020. Joglaresa comprises outstanding classical, world, folk and jazz musicians – a sound that is at once traditional and contemporary – combining intoxicating elements of Medieval, Middle Eastern and Celtic musics, they create a unique sound that is both extrovert and intimate. On booking, customers will receive a link to the concert with access to re-watch up until Sunday 31st Jan. Tickets are £5 each. https://www.ncem.co.uk/

Thursday 28th Jan – 8pm – Boss Caine & Katie Greenbrown – The Fulford Arms

To celebrate Independent Venue Week 2021 enjoy this broadcast from two of York’s most talented wordsmiths. Described by BBC legend, Whispering Bob Harris, as ‘stunning talent’, Boss Caine is the main musical vehicle of York based singer songwriter Dan Lucas. He has an amazing ability to tell stories with his songs and combines a beautiful rich vocal with thoughtful melodies and excellent musicianship. This set, recorded in December features some of the new material he has been working on through lockdown.

York-based spoken word poet, Katie Greenbrown also provides a touching, warm but keen view on what our lives offer up, with an incurable appetite for playing with language. Stay Home, tune in and settle down. Pay what you like to support the production https://live.themill.tv/selectTickets.php?id=BOSSCAINE

Saturday 30th January – 7pm – Front Bar DJ Sessions – The Crescent Community Venue

Join the Crescent Crew for a night of great tunes to remind you of dancing the night away in the front bar of York’s Best Community Venue

http://thecrescentyork.com/

Sunday 31st January – 8pm – Cowgirl – The Fulford Arms

Cowgirl runs a conveyor belt of future indie classics, their well-crafted melodies wrapped in walls of wailing guitar fuzz. Running the gamut of “indie” from shoegaze and jangle pop, toslacker-rock and grunge, Cowgirl’s music shimmers with an inherent pop shine.

They have been receiving praise from GodisinTheTV and BBC 6Music’s Steve Lamacq in recent months and we were really happy to have them come and join us in December to

record this set. Stay Home, tune in and turn it up. Pay what you like to support the production https://live.themill.tv/selectTickets.php?id=COWGIRL

Available all week to watch on demand:

Michael Chapman: Ancient & Modern (Live from The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall) – The Crescent Community Venue

Watch veteran troubadour Michael Chapman’s special concert, recorded during lockdown in York’s stunning Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. The concert has been recorded in collaboration with local venue The Crescent, and promoters Please Please You and Ouroboros. The recording, titled Ancient & Modern, represents a look back over his long and illustrious career, featuring classics as well as newer compositions, in addition to a support slot and interview by close friend and mentee, Katie Spencer. http://thecrescentyork.com/

Fulford Arms TV:

Watch back any of the recent shows recorded in December at The Fulford Arms. Pick from great gigs featuring the following artists – Nosebleed – Pat Butcher – Borderline – Petrol Hoers – Katie Spencer and Henry Parker. All shows are ‘pay what you like’ https://live.themill.tv/vod.php

Find out more about Independent Venue Week here: https://www.independentvenueweek.com/ https://twitter.com/IVW_UK https://www.facebook.com/independentvenueweek/ https://www.instagram.com/ivw_uk/

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Make It York

Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings – nationally and internationally – as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. The company’s remit covers leisure and business tourism, city centre management, festivals and events, business support and inward investment.

One of Make It York’s strategic aims is to promote York as a brilliant place to do business, helping to support business growth and innovation across a range of business sectors, such as financial & professional services, rail and high value manufacturing and to stimulate greater inward investment.

For further information please contact:

Amy Goodman – Consumer Communications Manager Email: amy.goodman@makeityork.com

Welcome to the Make It York weekly update, with the latest information and business support measures available, as well as updates on our activities and opportunities to get the most out of working with us.

The Lord Mayor of York’s fund has been established by Cllr Janet Looker during her year in office to support local charitable and community activity. The fund will receive donations and distribute these in the form of grants to voluntary and community groups, charities and other types of not for profit organisation providing that the purpose of the grant is wholly charitable.

Grants will be available to groups working to improve the lives of children and young people up to the age of 21, living in the City of York and/or community arts and heritage projects.  Priority will be given to small, locally based groups or organisations working in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are undertaking actions as a means of addressing these needs.

Size of grants

Grants are available of between £200 and £2000 (although the panel may in exceptional circumstances exercise discretion and award up to £5000).

Who can apply?

Groups need to:

• Be small local groups (as a general guide we consider small in this case, to be those with an income of less than £250,000 (in the last reporting year) run by local people.
• Be operating in the City of York (within the boundary of the area served by City of York council)
• Have limited access to other sources of income.
• Have a constitution (governing document) including suitable, charitable dissolution clause.

How to apply?

Before applying please read the Guidance notes  for this grant scheme carefully.

Applications are only considered complete when all supporting documentation has been received either attached to the online application or emailed to grants@tworidingscf.org.uk

When to apply?

The fund is open now for applications and closes on 8th March 2021

Areas covered York

Two Ridings Community Foundation (working from home at the moment)

info@tworidingscf.org.uk

    

A new celebratory #LoveYork campaign has been launched by Make It York this month to champion the city’s unique offer and promote York’s diverse range of indie businesses and attractions. With a focus on ‘shopping local’, the campaign will put a spotlight on some of York’s best businesses and celebrate their unique stories.

The campaign includes a new number of new initiatives, competitions and awards designed to engage residents, businesses and virtual ‘visitors’ to the city during lockdown and beyond. The new #LoveYork hub will also promote the virtual ‘York At Home’ experiences available in the city alongside the takeaway and online delivery options York businesses are promoting.

Kicking off the activity a new ‘LoveYork virtual market’ went live this week – promoting the online products, gift vouchers and offers from a wide range of York businesses. With over 35 local traders, retailers, hotels and attractions currently on site, the platform offers a diverse selection of products from York’s array of independent businesses.

A new online #KidsLoveYork hub for children has also been launched on visityork.org today (13th January 2021) – filled with fun activities, crafts and recipes from organisations across the city. From learning how to craft a Viking helmet, to making prehistoric cheese and creating sock puppets, the hub contains a wide variety of interactive activities for kids of all ages to help keep them entertained during lockdown – and learn more about York!

The new online resource brings together content from some of the city’s best family-friendly attractions such as the National Railway Museum, JORVIK Group and York Museums Trust – alongside hands-on ‘Discovery Zone’ activities from the University of York’s Festival of Ideas. Children can discover the maths behind the railway revolution, design a museum window or learn how to braid with a Viking – all from the comfort of their own home.

The campaign will include a series of new social media competitions promoting prizes from local businesses with the first including a meal for two at Zaap Thai which is now running on the #LoveYork hub. A fun virtual #LoveYork awards initiative for businesses to take part in will also be launched in the coming weeks – with more details to follow.

Alongside this there will also be a special celebration of York’s’ local music venues with activity in support of Independent Venues Week (25th -31st Jan 2021) – a 7-day celebration of music venues around the country. This year the focus will be on digital content both pre-recorded and live and streaming industry insider chats. More details of this year’s programme will be announced shortly and for further information about the campaign visit www.independentvenueweek.com and the individual venues website for details of their upcoming shows.

Sean Bullick, Managing Director of Make It York said, “Our new #LoveYork campaign is all about celebrating the city and the innovative and creative businesses that we have in York – from world class attractions and independent retailers, to music venues and an eclectic hospitality industry.

This week, we’ve launched a new virtual market promoting some of York’s best independent businesses, and a new family-focused online hub to help keep the kids entertained during lockdown, with fun content from the city’s attractions. In plan, we also have a series of competitions, online awards and social media content designed to keep York front of mind during the lockdown and champion the wonderful businesses we have in the city. We are incredibly proud of what the city has to offer and we are looking forward to sharing our #LoveYork campaign with residents and virtual visitors over the coming weeks.”

Find out more about the #LoveYork campaign here: www.visityork.org/explore/loveyork

ENDS

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Notes to Editor

Make It York

Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings – nationally and internationally – as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. The company’s remit covers leisure and business tourism, city centre management, festivals and events, business support and inward investment.

One of Make It York’s strategic aims is to promote York as a brilliant place to do business, helping to support business growth and innovation across a range of business sectors, such as financial & professional services, rail and high value manufacturing and to stimulate greater inward investment.

For further information please contact:

Amy Goodman – Consumer Communications Manager Email: amy.goodman@makeityork.com