Dates for city centre Christmas market revealed

York Christmas market is set to return between 13 November to December 21

The opening date for this year's York city centre Christmas market has been announced.

Organisers Make It York confirmed the festive attraction was due to return to Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square between 13 November and 21 December.

The market has faced criticism in previous years around a lack of accessibility and overcrowding.

To improve accessibility, organisers said music-free designated "quiet times" between 10:00 to 12:00 GMT every day would be part of this year's event.

A "quiet oasis" will also be open at St Sampson's Centre to allow visitors a place to step back from the market, and access toilets, seating and baby changing facilities.

A report from last year's event found almost a third of survey respondents said the market had been too crowded, and more than a fifth said it should be more spread out.

Samantha Hunt, head of sales and marketing at Make it York, said the organisation was committed to making the market an experience "for everyone to enjoy".

"It has been a really key focus for us these past couple of years," she said.

Last year's event attracted a footfall count of more than 1.2 million on Parliament Street

"We know that Christmas can be the best time, but for others it isn't always, so creating that safe space around the festivities was a priority.

"St Sampson's Centre has great facilities, so it's super accessible."

Additional chalets on Parliament Street have also been removed to allow a steadier flow of visitors and to create more space, Ms Hunt added.

Toilets and seating areas are now indicated on a Traders Map of the market layout.

The organisation, owned by York City Council, said 100% of the market's food stalls are Yorkshire-based businesses, with 85% of the overall traders from the region.