SMALL traders in York revealed today that they had suffered a sharp drop in business - with some not expecting to stay afloat for the next 12 months.

A survey of trade during April, May and June - after the latest parking charges and restrictions were imposed - has indicated an average 17.5 per cent decline compared with the same period last year.

But the survey organisers say the long-term figures are even worse, with a 27 per cent reduction in customer numbers over the past four years.

They blame the fall on successive City of York Council administrations for their attitudes to parking, transport and charges, which they believe has led to a decline in visitors to the city.

The survey received about 35 responses from small businesses in Fossgate, Gillygate, Goodramgate, Micklegate and Walmgate, which did not wish to be individually identified.

The organisers, David Cox, Hamish MacDiarmid and Simon Evans, all small businessmen, said 89 per cent of businesses questioned reported a reduction in takings over the three months from April.

Within the 17.5 per cent average decrease, figures ranged from up to 50 per cent to only 3.3 per cent.

The organisers said the decrease worsened progressively as the three months went on.

"There is no doubt that 2004 will see an increasing number of small businesses in York closing, leading to empty retail premises and a decline in standards in the tertiary shopping streets of the city," they said.

"At least one business has closed this month, and two more are known to be closing later this year." They warned that many such premises were not suitable for redevelopment into larger modern units, and could become empty and derelict, leading to loss of business rate.

They said small business people, who had put their whole lives and financial future into their businesses over many years, felt extreme but understandable anguish, anger and frustration.

Council leader Steve Galloway said today after seeing their report that "on the face of it" there was no automatic contradiction with overall city centre economy data published by the council, which recently claimed retail trade was up.

"Within any complex economy, there will be some businesses doing better than others," he said, adding that the council's economic development department would look at the report and into cause and effect."

Meanwhile, Coun Galloway has explained the council's attitude towards cars - and revealed the increasing use of buses in York - in the third of four articles in response to the Evening Press's Stop The Highway Robbery campaign: see Page 10

Residents have a chance to have their say on York's parking charges, and put questions to Coun Galloway, at a public meeting taking place at 7pm tonight at York Railway Institute in Queen Street, near York Railway Station.

Updated: 10:28 Thursday, July 22, 2004