Additional seating installed in York

Safely welcoming visitors back into the city means providing plenty of space and seating for people.

The BID gained valuable experience in summer 2020 when we created the College Green pop-up. College Green was identified as an area of open space with potential to support the hospitality businesses of Goodramgate, many of which are housed in historic buildings with limited outside space. 

Building on the success of College Green, and in partnership with City York Council, we have introduced an expanded outside seating programme for 2021, developing the shared use of available public space in the city centre. 

There are 2 large areas of seating at Exhibition Square and College Green, offering an enhanced experience for visitors with grass cubes and animals. There are also accessible picnic benches for wheelchair users.

More seating is located at Duncombe Place, Esplanade, The Coppergate Centre, Library Square, New Street, City Screen Riverside, and Waterstones. This is in addition to the seating being provided by Make It York on Parliament Street.

In total the BID have installed 60 benches, 12 tree filled barrels, 31 bee-friendly floral divides, 48 grass cubes and 6 grass animals across the city centre. 

These spaces are available for anyone to use, to take food and drink purchased from local businesses, for picnics, or simply to rest.

 Bee-friendly planters have been installed.

Exhibition Square and College Green have accessible picnic tables.

Seating at the riverside.