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York BID rejuvenates the city across five days!

Friday, 19 January 2024 15:00

By Chantele Hodson

Credits: Gareth Buddo

York BID is currently hosting rejuvenation days with help from key partners, to improve the appearance of infrastructure across the city centre.

The project aims to refresh tired-looking benches, bike racks, bollards, bins, and other street furniture across the city centre. York Racecourse has kindly donated a generous amount for the required supplies.

The rejuvenation days are just one of many great outputs from the Cleaning and Rejuvenation Partners meeting; a bimonthly gathering between York BID, City of York Council, York Civic Trust, York High Street Forum and Make It York, who all identified city centre infrastructure as in need of attention.

The rejuvenation days are a partnership initiative coordinated by York BID and supported by the above parties, with both HSBC and Barclays volunteering their time, too.

Taking place throughout January, these rejuvenation days are already exceeding expectations. Approximately 90 pieces of individual infrastructure have already been refreshed. The initiative started on Parliament Street, and is working its way up to High Ousegate, Coppergate, and Piccadilly. Due to the high numbers of volunteers involved, Davygate, Lendal, St. Sampson’s Square, North Street (plus gardens) and Wellington Row have also been added to the list of targeted areas.

Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID, said:

“It’s already been an incredible couple of days of rejuvenation for the city, with plenty more hard work to come. York BID is sincerely grateful to everyone who came out during the cold weather spell and look forward to welcoming more volunteers to the project."

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:

"We were thrilled to be able to take part in the city's rejuvenation project and support York BID, helping to breathe life back into Parliament Street and improve the appearance of key infrastructure within the city. It was great to see so many different businesses volunteering their time and sharing a laugh. We painted tired looking benches, bike racks and bollards... and maybe got a little paint on ourselves too!"

William Derby, Chief Executive & Clerk of York Racecourse, said:

“We are pleased to support York BID and their volunteers in their fantastic work in the city centre.”

A fifth day has been added to facilitate the extra demand where members of the Probation Service will help out with the project. Additionally, a thorough prep of the streets conducted by City of York Council, followed by a hot wash of pavements cleaned by York BID, has been planned once the project is complete.

There's still an opportunity to get involved - please contact info@theyorkbid.com if you would like to help with this initiative (on 24th and 25th January), or future rejuvenation projects.

About the BID

The York BID (Business Improvement District) provides support to businesses in the city. Key focus areas are: enhancing the city centre environment and ensuring it is a welcoming place to visit, enhancing the city’s programme of events for all who live, visit, study and work in York, and supporting projects that invest in the development and promotion of the BID area and businesses.

For further information, please contact info@theyorkbid.com or call 01904 809970.

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