Lib Dem Councillors Table Motion in Support of York’s Small Businesses

A council motion brought by York Liberal Democrat councillors calling for action to support York’s small businesses amid rising financial pressures won backing at meeting of Full Council on 17 July.

The motion highlighted the triple impact currently facing small firms in the city, a combination of steep National Insurance increases from the Labour Government, the disruptive effects of Donald Trump’s trade tariffs on local exporters, and significantly higher city parking charges implemented by the Labour council administration in April 2025. Councillors agreed to the Lib Dem request for work to be undertaken to estimate the cost of restoring a lower cost 30-minute stay option at on-street parking sites where this had been available prior to April 2025 and consider options for the reinstatement of a lower cost 30-minute stay at these locations.

Local business owners across York have raised concerns about the impact of these changes on footfall, profitability, and the viability of independent businesses in areas like Bishopthorpe Road, Micklegate, The Groves and East Parade. Data for May and June 2025 indicates that these concerns are well-founded, with a drop in city centre footfall of 90,000 between May and June 2024 and the same period in 2025. The mover of the motion, Cllr Ashley Mason, sought to update his motion to include the up-to-date figures, but this was blocked by Labour councillors. 

The motion also calls for the council to engage with local business groups and representative organisations, such as the York Business Improvement District and the Federation of Small Businesses, to understand the impact of recent National Insurance changes in order to be able to lobby Government for mitigation measures. 

Cllr Ashley Mason, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Economy, said: 

“Small businesses are the backbone of York’s local economy but they are being hit from all sides. First Labour’s tax hikes, Donald Trump’s tariffs and then soaring parking charges without adequate consultation. We put this motion forward backing York’s small business who are demanding urgent support. 

“The Council promised a review of parking demand before making major changes, but they went ahead regardless. Reinstating a short-stay option is a practical step that could make a real difference to small traders who are already struggling to bring in customers.”

Liberal Democrat Councillors have spoken to local traders who have been affected by the increased parking charges. 

Tony Hookham, Owner of Sharps barbers on Micklegate, told Liberal Democrat Councillors:

“Since the new parking charges came in, I’ve seen a real drop in clients, especially those who used to pop in for a quick trim. For a small independent business like mine, that’s a real setback. I just don’t think the Council understood the knock-on effect this would have on places like Micklegate.”

During the debate on the motion, Cllr Stephen Fenton highlighted that cities similar to York have retained a 30-minute stay at many on-street parking locations. 

He said “The city of Bath is often used as a comparator to York in terms of being a small historic city with similar challenges around transport. Bath has a parking pricing structure similar to York, but some of its on-street locations retain a 30-minute pay and park option. So if a city such as Bath can take into consideration the health of small businesses when implementing its parking policies, why can’t York?

“In response to my reference to Bath, Labour’s Cllr Rachel Melly said that she had recently visited Bath and had paid £9.30 to park for half an hour in a car park. She either deliberately or inadvertently misunderstood the point that I was trying to make, which was about short-stay on-street parking, which is available in Bath with prices starting at £1.70.”

Liberal Democrat councillors say they will continue standing up for small businesses and will press the case for a reduced 30 minute rate to be reintroduced.