by Dan Bean and Olivia Metson

A NEW scheme has been launched in York to help provide a friendly welcome to visitors.

York Greeters will be based at the railway station, to offer visitors, shoppers and visiting business people advice or directions.

The initiative was set up by the York Business Improvement District (York Bid), and will see a team of four Greeters in the city centre.

Andrew Lowson, executive director of the BID, said the scheme was “all about offering a friendly welcome and providing information”, and should help people get the most out of their visits to the city.

He said: “This is a service for residents and visitors, to help offer the very best welcome and customer service for anyone interested in exploring the city.

“Good customer service is increasingly important and that extends beyond hotels and retail to how a city looks and feels. Our York Greeters will be located around the city offering a welcoming smile and answering questions to help people get the most out of their visit to York.”

The Greeters officially started work on Monday, and will be positioned at visitor hotspots throughout the city centre for the duration of the project, which is currently scheduled to run until the end of September.

They will also help to promote local businesses outside the city centre, with an aim to increase use of smaller and independent businesses along with the main city centre stores.

Mr Lowson said: “Visitors to the city centre are not always aware of the great array of often independent businesses we have in our periphery streets, so we will ensure our York Greeters signpost people to these places alongside what exits in the city centre.”

Judith Orrell, 73, from York, spoke with the Greeters on Monday, and said: “It’s a good idea particularly for tourists coming in. They’re noticeably dressed and it’s a worthwhile programme.”

Chris Wilcock, 62, was visiting the city from Bradford, and said: “It’s a good idea, because if you don’t know where you’re going then it’s useful to have the service there, especially with people like me that don’t visit regularly or know where things are.”

If the York Greeters scheme is successful, Mr Lowson said it could be continued into next year and beyond, but for now the local workers were concentrating on what was expected to be a busy summer season in the city.

Richard Mansell, general manager at The Royal York Hotel, said: "This fresh initiative led by the York BID is fantastic news for the city, and is sure to build on York’s reputation as a friendly and hospitable destination.

"We look forward to working with the York BID moving forward in order to deliver the very best experience for both residents and visitors."

Adam Sinclair is interim chairman of YorkBid, and said the brightly dressed Greeters would be followed by the end of this year by equally high-visible Rangers - who would perform similar roles, but also be given powers to help deal with antisocial and inappropriate behaviour in the city on Fridays and Saturdays, and cut down on rowdiness which has seen many visitors and residents complain in recent months.

He said: “This move is reflective of YorkBid’s desire to increase the welcome and street presence in York City Centre.

“Given the competitive value of sterling we are anticipating a surge in foreign visitors and family staycations in the coming eighteen months.”