A York business is moving out of the city centre mainly due to rising parking costs.
Letting Agency Appealing Properties has operated on Clifford Street for the past six years, having previously been based on High Petergate and Blake Street.
However, recent changes implemented by City of York Council have left the business feeling it has no choice but to move to the outskirts of the city.
Before the increased parking charges on Low Friargate, contractors, landlords and clients could drop in to the office and an hour’s parking would cost £1.55 per hour.
Now that cost has surged to £4.85 per hour on Sundays to Thursdays and £5.30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
The increase has not only affected clients, but has also impacted the agency’s cleaner, who can now no longer afford to park while servicing the space.
Damian Marsden, Managing Director at Appealing Properties, told YorkMix that the cleaner even suggested coming in during the early hours of the morning to avoid the extra charges.
“It takes him around three hours to clean our office and next door, which would have cost him £15. He suggested coming in at four in the morning, so we’ve had to tell him not to bother, we’ll just do it ourselves, but it’s losing him a bit of livelihood,” Damian said.
Another key factor influencing the move is a council proposal to restrict traffic on a key route running from York Station to Tower Street, which includes Clifford Street, where the business is currently based.
In October, City of York Council put forward proposals for new restrictions on the route York Station and run along Rougier Street, George Hudson Street, Micklegate, Ouse Bridge, Clifford Street and end at Tower Street.
Council transport spokesperson Cllr Kate Ravilious said the move would help free up local roads for more bus, walking and cycling journeys.
But it would also prevent unauthorised vehicles from easily accessing the area, which Damian described as an “crucial” part of the business.
“We have contractors coming to pick up keys to go do maintenance jobs, tenants coming to pick up keys, landlords dropping off keys…
“That ease of access is crucial for the business and to be able to provide a good service, and being able to jump in our cars and go and take people around properties is essential,” he said.
“Also, if you’re moving house, you’re not doing it on foot or on a bike, that you’re coming to pick up keys whilst in transit to go to the house that you are moving into, so you need to be able to park up the car and come and grab the keys and carry on with the move,” he added.
The team have revealed that they’ll be relocating on 5 June to an office in Middlethorpe, which offers easy access and on-site parking.
Although Damian believes being based in the city centre helps with brand visibility, he says it’s no longer practical.
“I think unfortunately the high streets are dying, and everyone can do everything online. I think for letting and estate agents, no one’s looking for a house by wandering the streets, so parking is more important.”
While the team are keen to move into their new space, Damian reflects on the knock-on effects of the changes.
Despite being a small team of just four, their move represents four less people regularly supporting the independent businesses in the city centre.
“I love coming to York and having lunch, I normally go to one of the places in the Shambles Market and I’m going to miss that,” he explained.
The team also often frequent Alma’s Cafe for coffee breaks, another business that will lose out on regular trade.
“It’s just such a shame,” Damian added.
Cllr Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said:
“By reducing vehicle traffic and changing the way we move around the city, our goal is to make York an even better place to live, attracting investment and employment and helping residents live longer, happier, healthier lives.
“In order for bus travel to be an effective and reliable option for residents, commuters and visitors, buses need to move through the city without being hindered by traffic congestion.
“Following the implementation of car parking charges to encourage residents and visitors to consider other transport options, we have recognised the strength of feeling and feedback from local businesses and communities and continue to listen to their concerns.
“There seems to be some misunderstanding: there are no plans to restrict vehicle access to any properties and the charge for parking after 6pm and before 8am (the times typically used for servicing business properties) is a £2 flat rate.
“Our economy remains very strong, with an increase in city centre footfall of 28.7% when comparing figures from April 2024 with April 2025, and an increase of 3.7% in retail spend as York continues to buck national trends.
“Next week, Executive will consider a range of options which aims to address the concerns raised by local residents and businesses, while still supporting our ambition for a healthier, more sustainable, better connected transport network.”
In a previous article for YorkMix, Cllr Ravilious said: “If we don’t reduce congestion and improve public transport in the coming decade then we face even worse gridlock.
“Car parking prices are just one tool we have to help reduce traffic congestion and enable everyone to have choice in the way they travel. The new parking charges aim to discourage the frequent short trips by car that clog up the city with congestion and instead encourage people to take the bus.”