Sold on York

THEY came, they saw, they spent their money - yes, it seems that as soon as they set foot in York in 71 AD, the Romans couldn't wait to start snapping up all the bargains the city had to offer. And after a hard day's gladiatorial combat, who can blame our toga-wearing ancestors for wanting to unwind with a pitcher of wine in a Micklegate hostelry or flex their credit cards at a Coney Street boutique?

Well, perhaps it wasn't quite like that. But there have certainly been bars and shops in York since Roman times and business has continued to grow and thrive ever since. And this week the York Tourism Bureau launches Streets Ahead - a new shopping campaign to get more 21st-century tourists to shop in York's array of independent and unusual shops, just like their Roman, Medieval and Victorian predecessors did.

For many visitors to the city, shopping is one of the key motivations for repeat visits, according to York Tourism Bureau - so it's time York learned to shout about its unusual shops and businesses.

"We firmly believe that York is streets ahead when it comes to offering individual and independent shops in a beautiful historic setting," says Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of the York Tourism Bureau.

"No other city in the country can offer such superb surroundings for a shopping spree and we hope this new campaign will encourage many more visitors to stay overnight in York to shop and discover the city's historic charm at the same time."

A leaflet, Insider Shopping Trails, has been printed to accompany the campaign, and it offers three trails for shoppers to follow:

u designer wear;

u unique gifts;

u antiques, art and specialist books.

There is something for everyone, from the fashion conscious to the academic, and the leaflets provide a colour-coded map and info to guide visitors around the city's winding lanes and snickleways.

The 'unique gift shops' trail is the most generic of the three, and the one the Evening Press chose to follow. It is ideal for anyone who needs to pick up an unusual gift for friends or family - and there is certainly no excuse for leaving the trails to tourists, because there's as much on offer for locals as for visitors.

Proceedings start off at Porta Dextra in High Petergate, which sells unusual glass, jewellery, prints and animal ornaments, all from a shop tucked into the side of Bootham Bar.

From there it's a short walk past the Minster to Stonegate, once the principal road of Roman York which later provided the route for stone to be carried from the River Ouse to the site of York Minster, giving it its name.

Here, you'll find The Gem and Rock Shop, selling an array of semi-precious stones, minerals and fossils; then Whigmaleeries, a swashbuckling shop which sells replica pistols, swords, shields and Celtic memorabilia; and from there it's on to Mulberry Hall for tasteful china, porcelain and glass, and Stonegate Teddybears for just that - lots and lots of teddy bears.

In Swinegate, Porcupine sells homewares galore, and from there it's off to Ashberry of York in Grape Lane, renowned for its platinum and 18ct gold jewellery.

In Low Petergate, the festive season lasts all year at Christmas Angels and, also in Low Petergate, the Cat Gallery offers bargains for fans of feline frippery.

The National Trust Shop and tea-room on Goodramgate are next on the agenda, followed by games shop Compendium, the Monkbar Model Shop and Monk Bar Chocolatiers. And by this stage of the game, you are probably in need of a morsel of chocolate - just to keep your strength up and steady your shopper's nerves, you understand.

If you're not loaded down with bags or on the verge of bankruptcy by now, there are bridal and baby gift bargains aplenty at Daisy Taylors in King's Square. A quick stroll over to Shambles will lead you to Heraldic Art and Design, where you can pick up a gift for a history-obsessed friend or relative, before calling in at Miniature Scene on Fossgate, a shop full of pint-sized dolls' houses and furniture.

"I thought I knew the shops in York quite well and I wasn't aware that there were any really unusual shops here - I just thought most of them were full of tourist tat," said Naomi Beaumont, 25, of Clementhorpe who also completed the gift shop trail. "So it just goes to show how wrong you can be and that you should have a proper look around - even if you live here."

"I definitely think it is a good idea and that perhaps in the past York hasn't sold its shopping as strongly as it could have done," says Peter Hanson, owner of the Cat Gallery in Low Petergate, which appears on the trail. "I do think this is going to be really good for retailers in York. We are definitely in favour of the campaign."

The free Insider Shopping Trails guide is available from the De Grey Rooms Tourist Information Centre

Updated: 08:58 Tuesday, June 17, 2003