Business leaders speak out over car park controversy

BUSINESS leaders have urged York Council to justify the controversial sale of a car and coach park amid concerns over the impact the proposed deal could have on hundreds of independent retailers.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the council to provide clear evidence of the benefits from the sell-off of the Union Terrace site to York St John University to expand its campus.

The Labour-run administration has claimed the vast majority of the £3.2m raised from the sale would be ploughed back into city centre improvements and an overhaul of York’s car parks.

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It has also been projected that the sale would bring £30m a year to the local economy and create 200 jobs through the university’s expansion plans.

But the North Yorkshire regional chairman for the FSB, Simon Williams, voiced fears the sale would impact on the city’s retail sector.

He claimed the loss of the site would lead to less visitors and undermine York’s multi-million pound tourism industry, with a knock-on effect to the city’s traders.

Mr Williams added: “It is a key site in the city, and we need to make sure that the benefits which are proposed are realised.

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“We are all aware that local authorities across the country are under financial pressures. But we want York Council to look at long-term picture, and not just a short-term fix to raise some much-needed money.”

The Yorkshire Post revealed on Monday that council leader James Alexander had agreed to consider a six-week consultation so that more people would have the opportunity to express their views.

The planned sale has provoked a public outcry, and campaigners have collected more than 13,000 signatures on a petition in less than three weeks.

York Council’s cabinet will meet on Thursday next week to discuss the consultation proposal.

Hundreds of campaigners are planning to stage a demonstration in St Helen’s Square as councillors gather for the meeting.