YORK traders almost unanimously reported fewer customers and lower turnover during Royal Ascot week, a new report reveals.

City councillors were told that more than 90 per cent of York businesses which replied to an authority survey in the wake of the five- day racing festival felt they done worse than they expected.

The figures, contained in a City of York Council document, come as business leaders also revealed their sales were down by a third during the June race meeting.

Brian Littlejohn, store manager at Marks & Spencer York, who is on York Business Forum, said sales for city retailers were down by an average of 30 per cent as a direct result of the event.

His comments followed a meeting, earlier this month, of representatives of leading local businesses, tourism, hospitality, the major rail companies and York Racecourse.

The meeting analysed the impact of Royal Ascot on York as well as the business community, and attempted to identify what lessons could be learned to improve arrangements in future years.

The principal conclusion was that Royal Ascot had been a resounding success and generated a huge volume of positive publicity for York and the surrounding region. Andrew Lindsay, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Some York retailers reported a substantial downturn in trade during Ascot week caused mainly by the traffic arrangements, which steered visitors away from the city centre.

"It was acknowledged that strenuous efforts should be made in the future to encourage racegoers who arrive by car, to visit the city centre and other retailers."

The city council report, which was considered earlier this week, also revealed that half the traders questioned felt the perception of York as being expensive for visitors had gathered momentum in the run-up to the race meeting.

In the hotel trade, Harrogate was the big winner - with bed occupancy rates up nearly nine per cent on June 2004. In York, it was nearly seven per cent down.

But Mr Littlejohn said Royal Ascot could return if town centre businesses were promoted in a more obvious way.

"I think what we are saying is let's do it again, but this time lets make it more obvious that the town centre is open for business and what's more that it is accessible," he said.

"On average retailers were down by 30 per cent across the sector which is a big drop."

Mr Littlejohn would not say how much sales at Marks & Spencer were down that week on the previous year.

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, October 06, 2005