Shop York returns for 2026 to celebrate and support York’s high streets

After the whirlwind of Christmas shopping and the January sales, the high streets can feel a bit quiet. It’s that time of year when people are tightening their belts and staying indoors. But in York, a brilliant campaign is returning to bring a bit of buzz back to the city centre and show some love to the fantastic local shops that make the place so special. The Shop York campaign is back for 2026, and it’s a great excuse for shoppers to rediscover the joy of popping into a real-life shop and supporting local businesses.

So, what’s the big idea?

It’s a simple but clever concept, really. The whole thing is a joint effort between two great organisations, York BID and Indie York. They've designed the Shop York campaign to give a helping hand to all the brilliant retailers and independent businesses across the city during the quieter winter months. It’s all about encouraging people to shop local and explore the amazing variety of stores York has to offer. The campaign officially kicks off on Saturday 31st January 2026, tying in perfectly with the York Residents’ Festival, making it a great day to start.

The challenge for shoppers, should they choose to accept it, is to spend £50 over 50 days. This isn't about one big splurge, but about spreading the love across more than 100 participating businesses. Think of it like a treasure hunt for grown-ups. Every time someone spends £10 in a participating business, they get a sticker for their special Shop York Passport. It could be a tenner on a new book, a coffee and cake, or a quirky gift for a friend’s birthday. Once five stickers are collected – meaning the £50 target has been hit – the completed passport can be entered into a massive prize draw. It’s a fantastic way to support York’s high streets while getting something back in return. This first visit to a local business could be the start of a great shopping adventure.

Did someone say prizes?

They certainly did, and the prizes on offer are pretty special. This isn’t just a raffle for a box of chocolates; the top prize is a whopping £500 York Gift Card. Imagine what that could be spent on! That’s a serious amount of shopping power to unleash on the city’s high street. But even if the grand prize isn’t won, there are loads of other amazing prizes up for grabs. These have all been generously donated by some of York's brilliant businesses, showing what a great community spirit there is among the city's retailers.

Just to give a little taste of what shoppers could win, here’s a peek at some of the goodies:

• A swanky pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses

• A classic pair of Levi’s jeans

• Unique local experiences

• Beautiful pieces of jewellery

• And many, many more fantastic prizes!

The full list is long and packed with treats from every kind of shop imaginable. It’s a great incentive to get involved and a wonderful way for participating retailers to showcase what they do. The chance to win such high-value prizes will surely encourage shoppers to visit and support each independent business.

A proven success for York’s high street

This isn’t the first time the Shop York campaign has hit the streets. It ran for the first time in 2025 and was a huge success. Both shoppers and businesses across the city really got behind it. The feedback from the participating retailers was overwhelmingly positive, which is why it’s making a comeback. Many shop owners reported that more people came through their doors, and not just once. The sticker passport encouraged repeat visits, helping to build a connection between shoppers and the local business community. It also gave these businesses great exposure during what is usually a very quiet period after the Christmas rush.

One of the retailers taking part again is Cat, who runs the much-loved shop Give the Dog a Bone on Fossgate. She saw the benefits firsthand. Cat said:

“We definitely saw an increase in footfall during the scheme in 2025. It brought more people into the shop, and customers were really engaged - some even told us they’d already visited several other participating businesses. It’s a great way to attract new shoppers and create a bit of buzz in York.”

It’s stories like this that show the real-world impact of the campaign. It’s more than just a marketing scheme; it’s a genuine support system for the high street, helping to keep our city vibrant and interesting. This kind of local support is essential for the survival of the independent shop.

The people making it happen

This brilliant initiative is run by two organisations dedicated to making York a better place for everyone. The first is York BID, which stands for Business Improvement District. Essentially, they provide support to businesses right across the city centre. Their work involves making the city look great, ensuring it’s a welcoming place to visit, and backing projects and events that promote all the fantastic businesses in York. The second partner is Indie York, a not-for-profit association that champions the city's independent businesses. It was actually born out of a tough time for the city after the floods in 2015, with the aim of raising awareness of all the wonderful independent retailers that make York so unique. With over 250 members, Indie York is a powerful voice for the small business community.

Rachel Bean, Project Manager at York BID, is passionate about the project. She said:

“We truly believe York has some of the best high streets in the country, and Shop York is all about celebrating that and supporting our high street businesses. Following the success of the first campaign in 2025, we’re delighted to be bringing Shop York back for 2026 and extending it to 50 days, giving shoppers even longer to take part. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who gets involved and continues to back local – our diverse high streets are what makes York so special, and supporting local businesses is vital to keep our high streets thriving.”

Polly Bennett, the Deputy Chair of Indie York, added her support, saying,

“Shop York is a brilliant way to shine a light on - and support - the incredible retailers that make shopping in York so unique. We hope locals and visitors will take the opportunity to seek out new places, return to old favourites and rediscover the joy of shopping on the high street.”

Participation in the Shop York campaign is completely free for any retailers who are members of either York BID or Indie York, making it an accessible way for any local business, big or small, to get involved and feel the benefits.

How to get involved

Joining in couldn't be simpler. From Saturday 31st January 2026, shoppers can pick up a Shop York Passport. These will be available at the Visit York Information Centre on Parliament Street, or from any of the participating businesses scattered across the city. Just look out for the Shop York signs in the window. With a passport in hand, it’s time to start exploring, shopping, and collecting those all-important stickers. It’s a fun campaign for everyone, from residents who want to support their local high street to visitors looking to discover the independent soul of the city. Supporting our local retailers has never been more rewarding, and this campaign is a brilliant reason to visit a shop in York and see what treasures can be found on every street.