Guide To Participating as Shop York Returns for 2026 to Celebrate and Support York’s High Streets

January can sometimes feel a bit grey after all the festive sparkle, can’t it? The high streets are quieter, and everyone’s saving their pennies. But in York, there’s a brilliant reason to get back out there and explore the city’s amazing shops. The popular Shop York campaign is back for 2026, turning a quiet time of year into a proper adventure for shoppers. It’s a fantastic initiative from York BID, working with Indie York, to give a big dose of support to local retailers and independent businesses.

The idea is simple: encourage residents and visitors to shop local, discover some hidden gems, and maybe even win some incredible prizes along the way. It’s all about celebrating the unique character of York’s high streets and the fantastic businesses that make the city so special.

What’s the big idea?

Kicking off on Saturday, 31st January 2026, as part of the York Residents’ Festival, the challenge is straightforward but fun: spend £50 in 50 days. Sounds easy enough, right? There are more than 100 participating businesses dotted all over the city, from familiar favourites to quirky independent shops that people might be discovering for the first time. This city-wide campaign is a great excuse to visit a different part of town or pop into that little shop that’s always catching the eye. The whole thing is designed to be a bit of a treasure hunt. Shoppers get a special Shop York passport, and every time they spend £10 in a participating business, they get a sticker. It’s a bit like collecting stamps for a free coffee, but the rewards are much, much bigger. The scheme aims to increase footfall and build positive engagement between the public and retailers.

Getting involved is incredibly simple. Anyone who wants to take part can pick up their very own passport from the Visit York Information Centre on Parliament Street or from any of the participating businesses across the city from the launch date. This campaign isn’t just about spending; it’s about the experience of exploring York’s high streets. Many retailers are putting on exclusive offers just for passport holders, making it even more tempting to support a local shop. The Shop York is a campaign that truly brings the community together, creating a buzz that benefits everyone involved.

Did someone say prizes?

They certainly did, and these aren’t just any old prizes. Once a shopper collects five stickers in their passport – showing they’ve spent their £50 supporting local businesses, they can enter an incredible prize draw. And the top prize is a bit of a showstopper: a £500 York Gift Card. Just think of all the things that could be bought with that, from slap-up meals and new outfits to unique gifts and amazing local experiences. It’s a fantastic reward for doing something that already feels good – backing the city’s independent scene.

But the brilliant prizes don’t stop there. Other goodies up for grabs include a swish pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, some classic Levi’s jeans, gorgeous jewellery, and plenty of other treats generously donated by some of York's fantastic local businesses. These retailers really get behind the campaign, offering up amazing items to make the draw even more exciting for everyone who takes part. It’s this spirit of collaboration that really shows what the campaign is all about: businesses helping businesses, and shoppers getting rewarded for their support.

• Top Prize: A whopping £500 York Gift Card

• Fashion: Ray-Ban sunglasses and Levi's jeans

• Local Experiences: Vouchers for unique York attractions

• And more: Jewellery and other fantastic items from local retailers

Why it's a win-win for the city

The first Shop York campaign back in 2025 was a massive hit. The feedback from participating retailers was amazing, with many reporting that they saw a real difference. They noticed more people coming through their doors, and not just once. The passport encouraged repeat visits as shoppers sought to collect their stickers, boosting footfall during a traditionally slow period. This increased engagement provided a valuable lift for many small businesses. It's a simple concept, but its impact on the local economy and the morale of the city's shopkeepers is huge. It really is a campaign designed to support our high street.

One of the retailers taking part again is Cat, who runs Give the Dog a Bone on Fossgate. She saw the benefits firsthand. “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.” Her experience shows that the campaign really does work, encouraging people to explore the diverse range of shops the city has to offer. The positive feedback from business owners has been a key driver in bringing the scheme back.

The champions behind the campaign

This whole brilliant idea is powered by two key organisations dedicated to making York an even better place to live, work, and visit: York BID and Indie York. York BID (which stands for Business Improvement District) works to support businesses across the city centre, helping to make the environment welcoming and backing projects that promote the area. Indie York is a passionate association of independent businesses that originally came together to support each other after the floods in 2015 and now has over 250 members. Both groups are all about celebrating and strengthening what makes the city’s high streets so special.

Rachel Bean, Project Manager at York BID, highlighted the passion behind the project. “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.”

This sentiment is echoed by Polly Bennett, Deputy Chair of Indie York. “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.” It’s clear that this campaign is more than just a promotion; it's a community effort to ensure the city's independent spirit continues to flourish. So, when the time comes, grab a passport and get ready to rediscover everything the amazing streets of York have to offer.