SOME traders in York have been breaking out bottles of champagne - 198 of them - to celebrate their success.

Bars and restaurants have reported a roaring trade, with The Living Room, in Bridge Street, selling almost 200 bottles of bubbly on Tuesday and Wednesday.

General manager Martin Bridge said: "We have had a queue out the door every night so far. I'm in no doubt that this will be the best week we will ever have in York."

"We never imagined it would be this busy, so we are over the moon."

Another success story is fine china and crystal specialist Mulberry Hall, in Stonegate.

Celia Maughan, at Mulberry Hall, said: "The city has been quieter than normal, but the people that do come in find a calm, peaceful atmosphere, and get the undivided attention of our staff."

The shop's horse and racing-related china, including sought-after pairs of dwarves styled as Royal Ascot racegoers, has been flying off the shelves.

The rare Royal Crown Derby bone china figures sell for £1,950 for a pair. Only ten pairs were ever made, and four of those have already been sold this week.

A City of York Council spokesman said Ascot would eventually bring long-term benefits for all the city's traders.

He said: "Royal Ascot brings people into York who may not have visited before, and the council hopes a lot of these visitors will return to the city in the future, and that traders will see the long-term benefit."

Updated: 11:08 Friday, June 17, 2005