TOURISTS flock to York for the Minster, its medieval architecture and some of the country’s finest retail therapy. So it won’t come as a surprise to learn that one of the city’s streets has just been listed in the top three shopping parades in Britain.

But it’s not Stonegate, Petergate or even Shambles. No, for judges of the GB High Street Awards it was the shopping parade along Bishopthorpe Road that had everything they were looking for – and more. Little wonder its traders association was the Service with a Smile winner at this year’s The Press Community Pride Awards.

Local residents have known this for years. Even the national media has jumped on the bandwagon, by naming Clementhorpe the Notting Hill of the north, not to mention the ninth coolest place to live in England.

And that was before the street was beamed around the world in all its bunting-clad glory during July’s Tour de France.

But Bishy Road isn’t garnered with accolades by chance. This is a great example of a community living, shopping and playing on its doorstep. Traders have played their part by making it a fantastic shopping experience and they in turn are rewarded with customer loyalty.

Every year a campaign called Local Business Week tries to encourage people to buy more from small traders. In Bishopthorpe Road they do it every day and if you want to know why, just take a stroll over Skeldergate Bridge. You’ll be amazed at what’s on offer.