PICTURE the scene: outdoor cafes full of families enjoying a warm summer evening, with street entertainment laid on to keep everyone amused. Shops open later, and street markets too, inviting people to browse at their leisure.

It sounds like the sort of place we come across on our holidays, in Spain, France or Italy, where an evening out involves all the family and extends beyond a few drinks in the pub.

But this is the council’s vision for York and there were hopes a pilot scheme aimed at livening up the city centre with family-friendly evening entertainment could have been in place this summer at the Coppergate Centre. It was billed as part of the council’ s long-term aim to boost York’s early evening economy, But as we head into August, the pilot has yet to begin, much to the dismay of Cllr John Galvin, who is backing the scheme.

Residents, tourists and businesses could all benefit from a more lively city centre in the early evening.

We hope Cllr Galvin can put pressure on the powers that be to get this show on the road.