Latest news with #YorkBID
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'In many ways, he is York's caretaker': street cleaner wins award
A street cleaning supervisor in York has been named 'Best Ambassador' in a UK and Ireland-wide award event. Chris Patrick, who works for York BID, was recognised at the 2025 Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) Awards - which were held in Bradford on Wednesday (June 18) - for his dedication to keeping York city centre's streets clean. Mr Patrick said: "I take enormous pride in caring for this beautiful city. "Winning this award is a wonderful surprise, and I want to thank the whole team who roll up their sleeves with me every single morning – rain, shine, or floods. "We love York and we want everyone who lives, works, or visits here to see it at its best." A former chef who wanted to work outdoors and contribute to his community, Mr Patrick has led York BID's cleaning operations for eight years. Mr Patrick and the York BID team celebrated his win at the awards ceremony, which took place in Bradford on Wednesday (June 18) (Image: Supplied) A spokesperson said: "Most weekday mornings – before the city wakes up – Chris and his team are already out in the city centre tackling unsightly messes, including human waste and drug paraphernalia, with a can-do, positive attitude." Carl Alsop, operations manager at York BID, said: "There's not a hotel in York that wouldn't welcome Chris with a bacon sandwich – that's how far above and beyond he goes. "His attention to detail, strong initiative, and willingness to help mean he's always finding ways to make the city better – whether it's planting, painting, or quietly supporting events." Mr Patrick's work goes beyond cleaning: he also prepares street furniture for Rejuvenation Days; weeds; and plants - and he has even rescued a Nutcracker statue. A spokesperson said: "He's often behind the scenes making things better without seeking recognition." Carl Nickson, managing director of Eboracum UK, the delivery partner for York BID's cleaning service, said: "York simply wouldn't be the same without Chris. "As the street cleaning supervisor, he's more than a team leader – he's the heart behind the city's daily transformation. "He notices the details no one else sees and takes on challenges without complaint. "In many ways, he is York's caretaker." The rapid response cleaning service, which Mr Patrick helps to lead, ensures that entranceways and footpaths in the city centre are safe and clean. The service was described by a spokesperson as "a vital lifeline for levy-paying businesses." The ATCM Awards celebrate excellence in place-making and place-management across the UK and Ireland. The 'Best Ambassador, Warden, or Ranger' category recognises individuals who go above and beyond to create clean, safe, and welcoming environments.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Volunteers clean up bins, bollards and benches in York
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 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 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 runs several sessions a year in different areas of the city including Micklegate, Goodramgate and 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. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Mural dedicated to Joseph Rowntree unveiled in York park
A mural celebrating philanthropist Joseph Rowntree's contribution to York has been unveiled in a city centre park to mark the centenary of his artwork, located at North Street Gardens, was created by Art of Protest and commissioned by York BID to highlight the history of the "underused" Clark, creative director of Art of Protest, called the site "one of the best locations" for the group to create an artwork."Delivering any project of scale has its complications but this one has come together really beautifully with really key messaging coming through it," he said. The gardens were given to the city by the Joseph Rowntree for his factory workers to Bean, from York BID, previously described the philanthropist as a "really significant figure" in York. The Quaker businessman successfully ran his family's firm in the 19th and 20th Century, a confectionery company best known for producing Fruit Pastilles, KitKats and Tooty Frooties. A keen social reformist concerned with inequality, he set up several charitable trusts to improve life for his employees, including the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. He also created New Earswick, a garden village located on the outskirts of York, to give factory workers higher quality living conditions."North Street Gardens is such a key location because it was a gift from Joseph Rowntree to the city for his workers, offering them a space to come outside to connect with nature," Ms Bean said."It was all about improving their quality of life."Art of Protest worked with Door 84, a youth and community centre, to create the piece and young people were directly involved in the decision-making mural contains references to the history of the space, including rowan tree leaves in a nod to the origin of the name Rowntree. Gemma Waygood, senior project manager of Art of Protest, said: "There was just so much we could have talked about and that was so important - the whole history, the philanthropy, and that's what Art of Protest does as well." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Marshals to patrol York riverside on weekends
Specially trained marshals will patrol York's riverside areas on Saturday afternoons and bank holiday weekends to keep people safe near the marshals will monitor the area around King's Staith from 12:00 BST to 20:00 BST to provide support and tackle anti-social behaviour, according to York Business Improvement District (BID).Currently in its fourth year, the project, which launches in June, plays a crucial role in creating a safe environment, according to the manager Rachel Bean said: "The river marshals are there to support businesses in making sure that everyone is enjoying the river in a way that doesn't deter other people." She added: "The deaths that have taken place from people entering the river are very well-known in York."Maintaining river safety is a very important issue and as beautiful as it is, the river can be dangerous."The marshals are funded by the York and North Yorkshire police, fire and crime Rescue Boat also works closely with the BID to promote river BID's operations manager, Carl Alsop. said: "We're pleased to bring the riverside marshal programme back to support York's brilliant riverside businesses as we head into the busy summer period." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Hidden' park in York used by Rowntree workers to get mural
A mural is set to be commissioned in York to celebrate the centenary of chocolate entrepreneur Joseph Rowntree's death. North Street Gardens, by the River Ouse, was gifted to the city by the philanthropist for his factory workers to use. York BID has asked artists to submit designs for the mural, which would explore the history of the "underused" space. Submissions of up to £4,000 have been welcomed, with a deadline of 15 April. Rachel Bean, from York BID, described Joseph Rowntree as a "really significant figure" in York. He died in 1925."He was so important for changing the social landscape for factory workers," she said."North Street Gardens is such a key location because it was a gift from Joseph Rowntree to the city for his workers, offering them a space to come outside to connect with nature."It was all about improving their quality of life." Today, Ms Bean said the gardens were a "beautiful green space" but they wanted to attract more people hoped a series of murals in the area would be a "vibrant and colourful" way to engage people in York's hidden history. "We are really fortunate that York is such a creative city and we've got so many talented artists that want to have their work displayed here," Ms Bean added."It's going to be a permanent mural so it's a brilliant opportunity for local artists. We've had lots of interest but we would like to share it as widely as possible."The successful artist would be appointed on 25 April. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
