(Image: Newsquest)
The Press’ campaign putting a spotlight on the issues facing York’s high streets has been shortlisted for a top award.
This newspaper’s Struggle on the High Street campaign in July has been shortlisted for News Media Association’s 2026 Making a Difference Award.
It follows our reporting into the current climate for businesses in York after figures revealed the city saw drops in footfall and sales higher than the national average.
We also told how York is looking at new ways to improve the city’s high streets, such as by opening Coney Street up to the nearby riverside.
Voting for the Making a Difference Award opens on Monday (October 12) and can be made online here.
The Press' Struggle on the High Street campaign front page
Press editor Ben Hardy said he was “proud” to see the campaign shortlisted for a 2026 Making a Difference Award.
“This special report, which we published online and in print, shone a spotlight on the challenges facing York's businesses and retailers in the city centre, while giving a voice to the people working hard to keep our high street thriving,” he said.
"Local journalism has the power to drive important conversations and highlight the issues that matter most to our communities. If you believe this campaign made a difference, we'd be delighted if you could take a moment to vote for us when this opens on Monday.
"Thank you to everyone who supported the campaign, shared their experiences and helped us shine a light on this topic and bring it to life. Your support means a great deal to our newsroom, and every vote will help recognise the impact local journalism can have in York."
- York city centre businesses see 8 per cent slump in sales
- How Coney Street revamp could help struggling retail sector
- York economy chief responds to York BID sales fall report
The issues facing our high street do not seem to be going away – despite York’s popularity.
We reported last week that new data from Make It York showed 15.08 million people had been recorded in York city centre up to June this year, a year-on-year fall of eight per cent.
Almost 972,800 people visited attractions up to June, down 17 per cent compared to 2025, though the amount rose by two per cent year-on-year from April to June.
The data also showed 2.47 million people had been recorded in Parliament Street between the start of this year and June, 28 per cent less than during the first half of 2025.
And visits to big attractions in York including Clifford's Tower, the JORVIK Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum fell by 15 per cent year-on-year overall across the sites.
We will continue to act as a voice for business and people in York to hold power to account. To get in touch with us, email newsdesk@thepress.co.uk