Looking for a new retail location ?
York’s city centre shop vacancy rates are significantly below national and regional averages.
York: Serious about Shopping !
York is a prime destination for retailers looking for guaranteed footfall. Guaranteed because the city attracts nearly 7 million tourists a year and because 4.5 million residents live within an hour’s drive. What brings people to this historic walled city is world class heritage complemented by major attractions such as York Minster, the National Railway Museum and York Art Gallery. A burgeoning array of hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants help to make it one of the top destinations in the UK. History and heritage are not York’s only strengths. It is also a very contemporary city with 2 vibrant universities and a cultural scene to match. York is the UK’s first UNESCO City of Media Arts, a reflection of its impressive reputation for film, gaming and other creative sectors. A buoyant festival programme keeps the city alive and ever changing. There are 12 annual festivals ranging from the Jorvik Viking Festival to the Great Yorkshire Fringe, a comedy festival in the heart of the city. In 2018, an international media arts festival, the Mediale, will be added to the mix. York is also an easy place to get to. It is incredibly well served by rail and has a fast growing park and ride network with nearly 5 million passenger journeys a year.
All this provides the perfect environment for retail. York’s compact centre is home to high street stalwarts – Marks and Spencer, Fenwick and Next – a growing cluster of very modern retail brands – Oliver Bonas, Jo Malone and Cath Kidston – and an extraordinary range of over 400 independent businesses that helps to create something unique for the serious shopper. A talented labour supply serves the retail trade well. More than 13,000 people work in the sector and the city has an impressive reputation for apprenticeship schemes and vocational training. 2,000 years of history but no resting on its laurels. A new Business Improvement District will invest £4 million in the city centre over the next five years and ambitious development plans will ensure that York is progressive and never complacent. Retail is a vitally important part of York’s domestic and international tourism offer. It is a flourishing, respected sector in the city – come and join us.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Seasalt to a city further north for us and especially to one as full of character as York. It’s a brilliant location with great charisma.” Neil Chadwick | Co-Founder, Seasalt
“During the recruitment process for John Lewis York, we were very impressed with both the volume of high-calibre applicants and the flexibility of the York workforce.” Laura Bern | Growth Delivery Manager, John Lewis
“The character of York fits well with the Käthe Wohlfahrt brand. I simply fell in love with York and its heritage and it felt right to choose the city as a base for our first and only UK store.” Harald Wohlfahrt | Owner, Käthe Wohlfahrt
“We are delighted to have opened a store in York – the vibrant city centre provides the perfect backdrop for Joy’s unique fashion and lifestyle brand.” Darren Smith | Area Manager North, Joy
“Fenwick Ltd has enjoyed trading in York for over 30 years and we certainly believe the city is a great fit for the Fenwick brand.” Neil Setterfield | Store Director, Fenwick Ltd York
A population of 4.5 million people within an hour’s drive of the city
A new business improvement district with a city centre budget of £800k per annum for at least 5 years
A city full of attractions, restaurants and pubs to complement the shopping experience York is the UK’s first UNESCO City of Media Arts
A year-long programme of city centre festivals to attract fresh audiences
7 million visitors a year from all over the world
One of the best Park & Ride networks in the UK, with more than 4.6 million passenger journeys in 2016
York is different – it has ginnels, snickleways and bar gates
8.5 million passenger journeys to and from York Railway Station
York is a dynamic, creative city with over 20,000 students
Home to the British High Street of the Year in 2015 – Bishopthorpe Road
The location for Yorkshire’s only five star hotel - The Grand Hotel & Spa
To find out more about York and how your retail business will benefit from locating in the city, please get in touch... business@makeityork.com 01904 554400 @York_Means_Biz makeityork.com/invest