There were 12% fewer shoppers in central York in September according to new figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats.
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The results come from the one remaining “footfall” camera which is located in Parliament Street.
It confirms the downward trend from August when 4% fewer people accessed the City centre in the wake of the introduction of new traffic restrictions on Lendal Bridge and Coppergate.
So far in October numbers ate down by 7% compared to the same period last year.
It has also emerged that the footfall camera located in Coney Street was a victim of the cuts earlier in the year.
The figures will cause serious concern to the retail community in the City.
Although seemingly more resilient than some other shopping areas –as evidenced by the relatively low number of empty premises – few businesses could sustain a reduction in the number of customers that has been seen over the last couple of months.
As revealed on this web site earlier in the week, over 8000 penalty notices were sent to separate addresses during September. Of these 5481 (67%) were to sent to addresses outside the YO postcode area, raising fears that the reputation of the City is being irreparably damaged.