AN ALTERNATIVE to the problem of A-boards has been proposed by businesses and the civic trust.

York Civic Trust and the Fossgate Association say they are “concerned with the appearance and environment” of the city, and want to highlight Fossgate by putting up “a permanent high quality sign”, to replace the current canvas banner.

It would span the entrance to Fossgate, where it meets Stonebow and Pavement, and the applicants said it would signal “Fossgate is a street with interest and utility”.

In the design and access statement, they said: “[WE] wish to increase the visibility of Fossgate, the street, to make it more attractive as a commercial and tourist area; to make the area more appealing and accessible, and to draw visitors, residents and business users to enter Fossgate and Walmgate beyond it.”

Similar signs are in place at the entrance to the Coppergate centre and to Shambles Market.

The design of the proposed Fossgate sign would reflect the area’s heritage, with fish incorporated as a nod to the fish market that stood on Foss Bridge in the 13th Century.

Laura Archer has worked at Connolly’s Home Style in Fossgate for 16 years, and said she believed the new sign was a great idea.

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She said: “We refer to it as ‘forgotten Fossgate’, so at least the sign would get it back on the map and people will realise it’s a retail street, as well as pubs and cafes.

“I haven’t seen the application yet, but I would be in favour of it. It’s been getting talked about for a number of years, so it would be nice to see it finally happen. I think the fish idea is a good one, it’s great to incorporate the history of the street into the sign.”

Steve Dyson, who runs Spring Espresso, said he would like to see the road improved and traffic restrictions put in place, but the sign was a positive start.

He said: “Looking at it, I can see it’s quite ornate, and would be in-keeping with the area. I’m all in favour of anything that generates foot traffic into Fossgate and certainly welcome this sort of thing as it makes it look much better.”

Laura added: “Footfall in the whole of the city centre seems to have dropped due to out of town retail and car parking charges. With the A-board ban that’s not great. We used to use an A-board, but stopped because we were worried about fines and I think that is a good way to get around the ban.”