FRICTION between York's buskers and retailers is nothing new. Last summer we reported how Bo, the white-clad mime artist, was facing arrest after Stonegate shopkeepers complained he was stifling trade.

Now Mr Yellow is beyond the pale, at least according to one Low Petergate businessman. Michael Petty called the police four days in a row to have the entertainer, real name Mark Wallis, moved on.

Mr Petty risks being labelled a killjoy. Nevertheless, he is determined to protect his income which, he says, falls significantly when Mr Yellow performs outside his shop.

Mr Wallis, meanwhile, says Low Petergate is the perfect pitch. No other spot is as lucrative: if he cannot busk there, he will abandon York for good.

That would be a shame. The colourful antics of Mr Yellow have proved a hit with the tourists.

He is one of several high-quality street entertainers who bring life, laughter and music to our ancient streets. Without them, York would lose a key attraction in the fight against comparatively soulless out-of-town retail parks.

Mr Yellow is a victim of his own success, drawing large-enough crowds to cause congestion and complaints. But to abandon York because he is too popular would be a perverse decision; not least because he is unlikely to find a more receptive and rewarding location in the North of England.

The shopkeeper and the busker should be able to ply their different trades without harming one another. It is time for compromise.

There must be other good spots for Mr Yellow. If one were found, Mr Petty might consider sanctioning a restricted number of Low Petergate performances.

The city centre services officer said today he will help Mr Wallis find an alternative pitch. We urge him to take up the offer. Mr Yellow should not be a quitter.

Updated: 10:16 Tuesday, August 28, 2001