Cafe will kill unique ambience of square (From York Press)

Cafe will kill unique ambience of square

1:12pm Saturday 4th August 2012 in Letters

I WOULD like to question the motives for the proposed changes in King’s Square and the necessity for them.

This location is unique and popular and has become well established over the years. It is ideal for the activities which go on and has become a happy and lively feature of the community, both during the fascinating acts that are played out there and when other events are undertaken, or even simply for walking, strolling or sitting when the space is clear.

To abolish this valuable amenity when it is working so well seems not only pointless but injurious to the life of that part of the city. To effectively deprive citizens and visitors of this pleasurable occupation would appear to be disregarding the human angle of life both of the audience and of the artists who share with us their expertise and talent for our enjoyment.

This aspect, I would suggest, is of more importance than any other, financial or otherwise, and should without any doubt take precedence. The wise dictum of Lucius Carey, Lord Falkland should certainly apply “If it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change”.

Dr Francis Jackson CBE, Organist Emeritus, York Minster, East Acklam, Malton .

• I WISH to express my concern about the proposal for café seating in King’s Square.

King’s Square has a particular flavour among the outdoor areas of the city centre and a lot of visitors derive huge enjoyment from the antics of the very professional artists the square attracts. They bring big audiences, far greater in number than the space allocated in the draft planning proposal. In addition, many acrobatic-style performers are working on the flat area of the square, not on the raised area mainly used by musicians. This means the area identified for audience is actually used by performers. Also, you would not want to be too close to some of the acts if something went wrong.

It is clear there is not space for the café and the entertainers. I am opposed to changing the character of our square. We have a buzz here, something which is not easy to generate. A reduced performance space will not generate enough income to attract the best performers. A lone guitar twanging the same songs over and over does not have the same appeal.

Obviously, I wish my neighbours at the Chocolate Museum every success, but sadly this proposal is not in the right place.

Helen Spath, Partner at Tullivers, Colliergate, York.