YORK enjoyed the fastest consumer sector employment growth in the UK in the final months of last year, according to a new report.

Produced by national law firm Irwin Mitchell and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), the Consumer Powerhouse special report revealed the city was also outperforming many other Yorkshire locations in terms of consumer sector economic growth.

The report provides an estimate of GVA growth and job creation within key cities across the UK with a specific focus on the retail, leisure, tourism and food and drink industries.

Published this month, the report revealed that York’s consumer sector recorded an employment growth rate of 4.1 per cent in Q4 2017, which far exceeded the national average of 1.0 per cent.

In addition, the city’s consumer sector experienced GVA growth of 2.0 per cent across the same period, which was again above the average of 1.5 per cent.

Sally Greenaway, head of the city’s tourism organisation Visit York, said: “Over the last couple of years we have seen a variety of new shops, eateries, hotels and bars opening up in York.

“There’s been significant investment in tourism in the city, such as the multi-million pound project at the Grand Hotel.

“The arrival of top brands such as the Ivy demonstrate a growing confidence in York’s consumer sector and these results are very good news for the city.”

The strong performance of York’s consumer sector is expected to continue into this year, with the report forecasting that it will maintain its employment growth rate of 4.1 per cent in Q4 2018 and also see an increase in GVA growth to 2.2 per cent during the same period.

Emma Yates, Irwin Mitchell Senior Associate Solicitor and consumer sector specialist, said: “This latest report shines a light on how employment within the consumer sector is thriving in York, with the city’s growth rate being well beyond the national average.

“There could be many reasons behind this, but it should be noted that York has one of the largest number of 18-29 year olds living in the city, compared to other cities in the UK. This age group tends to be very engaged in the consumer sector, particularly in active leisure and eating out in bars and restaurants.”