MAKING the Shambles market a vibrant hub of the city-centre is the biggest challenge promotion company Make it York face in the year ahead, the organisation's boss has told councillors.

Steve Brown admitted the market's refurbishment had left it with problems, but said that transforming it into a genuine attraction for the city was one of his organisation's "top four or five" jobs for the year ahead.

Mr Brown, Make it York's Managing Director, gave an annual report to the city council's economic development scrutiny committee on Wednesday evening.

At the meeting, Cllr Chris Cullwick told him he had been horrified to speak to a farmer who said he would not be able to sell at the market for much longer, as there was no power supply for the refrigeration units he needed.

Mr Brown said: "There are clearly some fundamental issues with the Shambles Market, not least aspects of the refurbishment.

"The design of the market is challenging. The food court is a good idea - it's great on a sunny day in August, but on wet day in February it's a big open space. We need to address that over the coming year, because it's a space that's not fit for purpose really."

He added: "Open markets generally in the UK are in decline. If we are to turn the Shambles around it needs more fun, it needs more atmosphere, more noise, more colour. It needs events. It needs to be a place that people really want to go, as opposed to a place that is a bit secretive and you happen upon if you are lucky."

He insisted the organisation was making progress, and had finally got signage in to point people towards the market. Overall occupancy rates are around 60 per cent and the market is almost full on most Fridays and Saturdays.

Borough Market in London - which is "constantly full of life" - is a model York should be trying to emulate, Mr Brown added.

"It's in all our interests to get it right, and we want to turn it from somewhere that doesn't create a lot of controversy but is a fun, vibrant place to go."