BUSINESSES in York have reported being largely unaffected by the ongoing bus drivers' pay strike.

Services across the city were wiped out by the strike across the weekend, although a full Park&Ride service ran.

Gavin Teasdale, marketing and events lead at Borders bookshop, in Davygate, said: "I don't think it has affected us. We have been busy all week. It has been the usual trade, there seems to have been no significant difference from the kids going back to school."

Kerry Tomes, senior sales consultant at Charles Clinkard, in Coppergate Walk, said: "It has been fine. Sunday was a good day. We did not seem to be affected at all."

Allen Strauss, of Christmas Angels, in Low Petergate, said: "At this time of year we rely on a lot of out-of-town trade, and the Park&Ride is still running. It has been pretty standard for us."

But Michelle Gitsham, of Shared Earth, in Minster Gates, said: "We did atrociously yesterday, way below our target. It seemed that local people were not coming into town."

Steve Parker, owner of Scoop Value, in Front Street, Acomb, said he had seen an increase in business.

"It has been a bit busier. The strike keeps people in Acomb."

But Philip Stockhill, of nearby Acomb Court Butchers, said: "The strike has made no difference to our trade whatsoever."

The strike was continuing today and will reach its fourth and final day tomorrow, when children across the region return to school.

Updated: 10:38 Monday, September 01, 2003