York Restaurant Week campaign drives £7 million boost for city’s hospitality sector

York Restaurant Week has delivered another major boost for the city’s hospitality industry, with the March 2026 event helping push the campaign’s total economic impact to an estimated £7 million.

The latest edition – the 13th York Restaurant Week delivered by York Business Improvement District (York BID) – saw thousands of people explore the city’s food and drink scene, supporting local businesses during a key period.

Since launching, York Restaurant Week has grown into one of the city’s most loved initiatives. Across all 13 events, more than 1,000 businesses have taken part, collectively promoting over 2,100 food and drink offers. In total, around 210,000 vouchers have now been downloaded, representing an estimated £3.5 million in direct customer spend – with wider economic benefits now reaching an estimated £7 million.

The March 2026 edition, which ran for 14 days, saw almost 30,000 vouchers downloaded via the York Restaurant Week website, continuing to drive significant footfall into the city centre and encouraging both local people and visitors to discover new venues.

Organised by York BID, York Restaurant Week champions the city’s superb hospitality businesses and celebrates the quality and diversity of York’s food and drink offer.

Fat Hippo was amongst the most popular venues taking part in this edition, with one of the most downloaded offers of the fortnight.

Nick Fountain, Marketing and Communications Director at Fat Hippo Group, said: “York Restaurant Week has once again shown just how vital our hospitality sector is to the city’s culture and economy – especially at a time when businesses continue to face ongoing cost pressures. Initiatives like this not only drive footfall and visibility, but also give venues a platform to attract new customers and build resilience. The success of this year’s event is a clear reminder that collaboration and community support can make a real difference.”

Eleanor Richardson, from York BID said: “We’re incredibly proud to see York Restaurant Week reach this milestone. Generating an estimated £7 million for the local economy is a huge achievement, and it reflects the continued support from both our brilliant hospitality businesses and the people who choose to dine out and explore the city. Each edition is about more than just great offers, it’s about encouraging people to try somewhere new, supporting local jobs, and showcasing York as a leading food destination.”

The final economic impact of the March 2026 event will be confirmed following the completion of the customer survey.

York Restaurant Week will return in October 2026, offering even more opportunities to discover and enjoy the best of York’s restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars.