Bins, bollards and benches cleaned in city project

Volunteers cleaned railings and bollards near York Minster and Goodramgate

Bins, bollards and benches are among more than 1,000 items cleaned up by volunteers in York as part of a project to improve the city centre.

Dozens of people took part in the initiative on Thursday, organised by York Business Improvement District (BID), which aimed to brighten up different areas of the city by repainting and maintaining street furniture.

More than 300 people have volunteered to help clean up 57 streets since the scheme first launched in 2024, according to the organisation.

"There are people who have that civic pride and from our point of view, we're keen to help the city look its best," said Carl Alsop, York BID's operations manager.

"This is our second time doing it and I really enjoy it," said Nathan Benson, who took time off his job in Primark to volunteer.

"The first time I did it, I was walking through town with my wife and I said to her 'see that bin? I painted that'. It is nice to walk around and see the difference."

York BID organises regular clean-up events to improve the appearance of the city centre

York BID runs several sessions a year in different areas of the city including Micklegate, Goodramgate and Fossgate.

Becki Jennings, who works at Harrowells solicitors, said: "This is our first time volunteering as a firm and I'm pretty sure we will back."

The initiative was launched after a meeting that "identified tired-looking street furniture as detracting from the city's overall appearance," a spokesperson for the BID said.

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