A RETAIL association in York is being held up as a global example of how to support independent traders as South Korean film crews arrive for a documentary on one of the city's award winning streets.

Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association was contacted by a Korean broadcasting firm after it attracted the attention of producers due to being crowned

with Britain's Best High Street title.

Film crews from KBS-TV (Korean Broadcasting System) are today setting up for a three-day shoot as part of a documentary on the importance if supporting independent businesses in light of the threat of large shopping malls and chain stores in Korea.

Johnny Hayes, Bishopthorpe Road Trades Association chairman, who picked up the filming request by email, said: " At first I had to check it was not April 1 before I replied.

"When I did I discovered it was genuine and that KBS –TV were hoping to come to York to film and to see what was so special about Bishy Road."

In the email, documentary producer Gina Macdonald from South Korea, said the production teams are from the largestpPublic broadcaster and TV network in South Korea, similar to the UK's BBC.

She said: "During my research I have learnt that Bishy Road has achieved so much being named as a winning Great British High Street thanks to outstanding collaboration between local partners, coupled with a huge sense of community pride. That's the key point of the documentary.

"Our production team have been working on a special documentary project dealing with stories about saving high streets and small businesses which have been under threat by gigantic shopping malls and chain stores.

"This phenomenon has been happening worldwide, including South Korea, and Association of Small Businesses and Retailers in South Korea have been supporting this documentary project with a hope of raising awareness of importance of keeping small and independent businesses.

"My producer in KBS head office really wanted to get to know Bishy Road."

KBS- TV wants to film the shops, the street and local area, as well as shopkeepers and members of the local community for the documentary. Cameras will also be set up to film a meeting of the Traders Association in The Winning Post pub.

Mr Hayes said: "We realise that Bishy Road has been given a lot of coverage recently for just a little York street with a lovely community around it.

"We also know that our notoriety has spread a bit. But we never anticipated it spreading globally and appearing in a documentary on Korean TV. It is hard to believe."