York Economic Data Hub is an online resource designed to provide clear, accessible insights into the economic performance of York city centre over time. The hub is organised into a series of sections, each presenting key data, trends and analysis. For the best user experience, we advise viewing via a desktop computer. Use the menu below to navigate directly to the section you would like to explore.
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Latest Monthly Insights - February 2026
Sales
4.1%
YoY Growth
3.9%
UK Benchmark
ARPC
2.8%
YoY Growth
0.2%
UK Benchmark
Footfall
4.7%
YoY Growth
Sales – YTD
3.2%
YoY Growth
2.2%
UK Benchmark
ARPC – YTD
1.2%
YoY Growth
0.7%
UK Benchmark
Footfall – YTD
5.2%
YoY Growth
ARPC – Average Revenue Per Customer
YoY – Year-on-Year – comparison with the same period in the previous year
YTD – Year To Date – cumulative performance from the start of the current calendar year (Jan-Dec)
Sales
4.1%
YoY Growth
3.9%
UK Benchmark
ARPC
2.8%
YoY Growth
0.2%
UK Benchmark
Footfall
4.7%
YoY Growth
Sales – YTD
3.2%
YoY Growth
2.2%
UK Benchmark
Sales – YTD
3.2%
YoY Growth
2.2%
UK Benchmark
ARPC – YTD
1.2%
YoY Growth
0.7%
UK Benchmark
Footfall – YTD
5.2%
YoY Growth
ARPC – Average Revenue Per Customer
YoY – Year-on-Year – comparison with the same period in the previous year
YTD – Year To Date – cumulative performance from the start of the current calendar year (Jan-Dec)
Spending Insights
Beauclair provides a robust, anonymised dataset of approximately 1.5 billion in-store debit card transactions annually, with a total value of around £45 billion—equivalent to roughly 7.5% of all UK debit card spending. The dataset focuses exclusively on UK-issued debit cards and excludes credit card transactions, online purchases, and cash payments, offering a consistent and reliable view of physical retail activity.
All data is fully anonymised and aggregated in line with GDPR and data protection requirements. Further information on methodology, coverage, and key considerations can be found in the Beauclair FAQ document.
Use the left and right scroll to cycle between the graphs. A description of the insights displayed is shown below.
Sector Spending Insights
Catchment Insights
Visitor Insights
BT Active Intelligence uses anonymised, aggregated mobile device data from the BT and EE networks to show how people move and behave in physical spaces. The platform is widely used across UK cities and offers far broader coverage and larger sample sizes than traditional methods such as footfall counters or surveys.
All device data is adjusted to reflect the UK population. Census information helps convert device activity into population estimates, reducing bias from differences in BT’s market share or mobile usage across regions. In areas with fewer BT devices, each device is weighted slightly more to keep the data accurate.
Use the left and right scroll to cycle between the graphs. A description of the insights displayed is shown below.
Hotel Occupancy
CoStar Group (via its STR platform) provides a trusted, industry-standard measure of how full hotels are over time, as a clear indicator of visitor demand and city centre activity.
Based on anonymised performance data submitted directly by Hospitality Association York (HAY) it shows the monthly percentage of available rooms that are occupied across the York city wide area.
Use the left and right scroll to cycle between the graphs. A description of the insights displayed is shown below.
Shop Vacancy
Shop vacancy is a key indicator of high street health and economic vitality. Local data is published on the York Open Data platform measures the proportion of retail units in York city centre that are currently unoccupied, expressed as a percentage of total supply of retail units.
This data is compiled using a range of sources, including on-the-ground surveys, landlord and letting agent information, and commercial property datasets.
Use the left and right scroll to cycle between the graphs. A description of the insights displayed is shown below.
About The Hub
This project is delivered in partnership with York St John University Business School, which provides in-kind support through a dedicated data analyst. It is funded by the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority and supported by a growing network of contributing partners, including City of York Council and Hospitality Association York.
The core objectives of the data hub are to:
Equip local businesses with actionable intelligence to support operational and strategic decision-making
Provide a robust evidence base to assess the impact of projects and strengthen the case for future investment
Support public and private sector stakeholders in making informed policy and planning decisions
Promote a consistent, data-led narrative around York’s economic health to build business and investor confidence
Explore more economic insights, including historical reports, news articles, and webinar recordings, in our Insights Archive below. For definitions of terms and abbreviations used in these report, please see the Glossary of Terms.
Insights Archive
York City Centre Insights January 2026
York BID work with data suppliers to bring key economic metrics, offering valuable insights into the city’s performance over time. Our insights report is structured into sections highlighting key indicators…
Read MoreYork Economic Snapshot: How York performed during the festive season in 2025
Watch the first in our new series of quarterly webinars exploring the economic forces shaping York city centre. In this session, we dive into key insights from the festive trading…
Read MoreYork City Centre Insights November 2025
York BID work with data suppliers to bring key economic metrics, offering valuable insights into the city’s performance over time. Our insights report is structured into sections highlighting key indicators…
Read MoreYork BID warns hospitality sector faces ‘disastrous blow’ as rateable values soar by 41%
York BID is warning that the city’s hospitality sector faces a potentially disastrous financial shock after new analysis revealed sharp increases in rateable values following the Valuation Office Agency’s latest…
Read MoreYork City Centre Insights October 2025
York BID work with data suppliers to bring key economic metrics, offering valuable insights into the city’s performance over time. Our insights report is structured into sections highlighting key indicators…
Read MoreYork City Centre Insights Quarter 3 2025
York BID work with data suppliers to bring key economic metrics, offering valuable insights into the city’s performance over time. Our insights report is structured into sections highlighting key indicators…
Read MoreYork City Centre Insights August 2025
York BID work with data suppliers to bring key economic metrics, offering valuable insights into the city’s performance over time. Our monthly report is structured into sections highlighting key indicators…
Read MoreYork City Centre Insights July 2025
York BID work with data suppliers to bring key economic metrics, offering valuable insights into the city’s performance over time. Our monthly report is structured into sections highlighting key indicators…
Read MoreYork City Centre Insights June 2025
York BID collaborates regularly with data providers to brings together key economic metrics, offering valuable insights into the city’s performance over time. This report is structured into sections that highlight…
Read MoreYork City Centre Insights May 2025
York BID collaborates regularly with data providers to brings together key economic metrics, offering valuable insights into the city’s performance over time. This report is structured into sections that highlight…
Read More