Editing York (section)

==Economy==
===Overview===
{{see also|List of companies based in York}}
[[File:Yorkshire Museum, York, England-23March2005.jpg|thumb|[[Yorkshire Museum]]|200x200px]]

A July 2020 report by Council stated that York is worth "£5.2 billion to the UK economy ... with 9,000 businesses and 110,000 people employed across the city".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.york.gov.uk/BackYork|title=Back York|first=|last=|publisher=City of York Council|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=31 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731181417/https://www.york.gov.uk/BackYork|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to ''Make It York'', the city benefits from features that include a well-educated workforce, "excellent transport links to both national and international markets, pronounced strengths in a range of high value sectors, a pioneering digital infrastructure, outstanding business support networks ...".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.makeityork.com/business-support-advice/a-place-to-do-business/|title=A Place To Do Business|publisher=Make It York|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219160244/https://www.makeityork.com/business-support-advice/a-place-to-do-business/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

York's economy is based on the [[service industry]], which in 2000 was responsible for 88.7% of employment in the city.<ref name="NOMIS">{{cite web |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038432023/report.aspx |title=Labour Market ProfileYork |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |work=Nomis |access-date=17 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717101557/https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038432023/report.aspx |archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref>

Statistics based on 2019 data indicated that tourism was worth over £765 million to the city, supported 24,000 jobs and attracted 8.4 million visitors each year.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=https://www.visityork.org/dbimgs/York%20Tourism%20Recovery%20Marketing%20Strategy%20Webres%20(1).pdf|title=York Marketing Strategy|date=13 August 2020|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020093919/https://www.visityork.org/dbimgs/York%20Tourism%20Recovery%20Marketing%20Strategy%20Webres%20(1).pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:York designer outlet (geograph 6848025).jpg|thumb|[[York Designer Outlet]]|200x200px]]

The Employment Rate in 2018 was 78.8%. The private sector accounted for 77,000 jobs in 2019 while 34,500 jobs were in the public sector.<ref name="auto4"/>

The service industries include public sector employment, health, education, finance, information technology (IT) and tourism that accounted for 10.7% of employment as of 2016. Tourism has become an important element of the economy, with the city offering a wealth of historic attractions, of which [[York Minster]] is the most prominent, and a variety of cultural activities. As a holiday destination York was the 6th most visited English city by UK residents (2014–16)<ref>{{cite web|title=Most Visited Towns by Trip Purpose 2014–16 (Excel, 32KB)|url=https://www.visitbritain.org/sites/default/files/vb-corporate/Documents-Library/documents/England-documents/a_listing_of_the_most_visited_towns_2014-16.xlsx|publisher=Visit Britain|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104135310/https://www.visitbritain.org/sites/default/files/vb-corporate/Documents-Library/documents/England-documents/a_listing_of_the_most_visited_towns_2014-16.xlsx|archive-date=4 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the 13th most visited by overseas visitors (2016).<ref>{{cite web|title=Inbound Town Data|url=https://www.visitbritain.org/town-data|publisher=Visit Britain|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223052855/https://www.visitbritain.org/town-data|archive-date=23 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A 2014 report, based on 2012 data,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-26136096|title=Tourists spend more than £600m|date=11 February 2014|work=BBC News|access-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712080152/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-26136096|archive-date=12 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> stated that the city receives 6.9 million visitors annually; they contribute £564 million to the economy and support over 19,000 jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visityork.org/dbimgs/KeyFacts-ResearchandStatistics(2).pdf|title=Report|publisher=VisitYork|access-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627202206/https://www.visityork.org/dbimgs/KeyFacts-ResearchandStatistics(2).pdf|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the 2017 Condé Nast Traveller survey of readers, York rated 12th among The 15 Best Cities in the UK for visitors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-cities-in-the-uk|title=The best cities in the UK|first=Condé Nast|last=Traveller|website=www.cntraveller.com|access-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627230655/http://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-cities-in-the-uk|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a 2020 Condé Nast Traveller report, York rated as the sixth best among ten "urban destinations [in the UK] that scored the highest marks when it comes to ... nightlife, restaurants, and friendliness".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-cities-in-the-uk|title=The best cities in the UK 2020|date=7 October 2020|publisher=Condé Nast Traveller|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307161008/https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-cities-in-the-uk|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Spark York 02.jpg|thumb|Spark:York, opened in 2018 as part of the Piccadilly regeneration scheme, offers a range of [[street food]], drinks and live music.|200x200px]]

Unemployment in York was low at 4.2% in 2008 compared to the United Kingdom national average of 5.3%.<ref name="NOMIS"/> The biggest employer in York is the City of York Council, with over 7,500 employees. Employers with more than 2,000 staff include [[Aviva]] (formerly Norwich Union Life), [[Network Rail]], [[Northern Trains]], York Hospitals NHS Trust and the [[University of York]]. Other major employers include [[BT Group]], [[CPP Group]], [[Nestlé]], [[NFU Mutual]] and a number of railway companies.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Major Employers in the City of York Council area. |publisher=City of York Council |year=2011 |url=http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/2715/york_s_major_employers_2011 |access-date=5 November 2013 |format=PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105142612/http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/2715/york_s_major_employers_2011
|archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=University of York Profile 2009. |publisher=University of York |year=2009 |url=http://www.york.ac.uk/media/communications/corporatepublications/Profile%202009%20reduced%203.pdf |access-date=3 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117151854/http://www.york.ac.uk/media/communications/corporatepublications/Profile%202009%20reduced%203.pdf |archive-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

A 2007 report stated that the economic position at that time very different from the 1950s, when its prosperity was based on chocolate manufacturing and the railways. This position continued until the early 1980s when 30% of the workforce were employed by just five employers and 75% of manufacturing jobs were in four companies.<ref name="FYGREPORT"/> Most industry around the railway has gone, including the [[York Carriage Works]], which at its height in the 1880s employed 5,500 people, but closed in the mid-1990s.<ref name="FYGREPORT">{{cite web |title=The Future York Group Report: An Independent Strategic Review of the York Economy |publisher=The Future York Group Report |date=June 2007 |url=http://www.york.gov.uk/content/45053/31645/Economic_intelligence/FYG_Main_Report.pdf
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001063656/http://www.york.gov.uk/content/45053/31645/Economic_intelligence/FYG_Main_Report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2011 |access-date=22 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/917865.yet_more_railway_jobs_axed_in_york/ |title=Yet more railway jobs axed in York |publisher=Newsquest Media Group |work=The Press |date=13 September 2006 |access-date=19 July 2009 |archive-date=12 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112005239/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/917865.yet-more-railway-jobs-axed-in-york/ |url-status=live}}</ref> York is the headquarters of the confectionery manufacturer Nestlé York (formerly Nestlé Rowntrees) and home to the ''[[KitKat]]'' and eponymous [[Yorkie (chocolate bar)|''Yorkie'' bar]] chocolate brands. [[Terry's]] chocolate factory, makers of the ''[[Terry's Chocolate Orange|Chocolate Orange]]'', was located in the city; but it closed on 30 September 2005, when production was moved by its owners, [[Kraft Foods]], to Poland. The historic factory building is situated next to the Knavesmire racecourse.

[[File:Aviva, York.jpg|thumb|The [[Aviva Building]]|200x200px]]

On 20 September 2006, Nestlé announced that it would cut 645 jobs at the Rowntree's chocolate factory in York.<ref name="bbcrown">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/5363992.stm |title=More jobs lost at chocolate firm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=20 September 2006 |access-date=19 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215005804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/5363992.stm |archive-date=15 February 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> This came after a number of other job losses in the city at [[Aviva]], [[British Sugar]], and [[The Chocolate Works|Terry's chocolate factory]].<ref name="bbcjobs">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/5345168.stm |title=Job losses 'bitter blow' for city |work=[[BBC News]] |date=14 September 2006 |access-date=19 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313115912/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/5345168.stm |archive-date=13 March 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, the employment situation in York remained fairly buoyant until the effects of the [[late 2000s recession]] began to be felt.<ref name="pressjobs">{{cite news |url=http://www.thepress.co.uk/search/4263943.York_reels_from_Norwich_Union_job_cuts_shock/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114033708/http://www.thepress.co.uk/search/4263943.York_reels_from_Norwich_Union_job_cuts_shock/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 January 2013 |title=York reels from Norwich Union job cuts shock |publisher=Newsquest Media Group |work=York Press |date=3 April 2009 |access-date=8 April 2009}}</ref>

Since the closure of the carriage works, the site has been developed into offices. York's economy has been developing in the areas of science, technology and the [[creative industries]]. The city became a founding National Science City with the creation of a [[science park]] near the [[University of York]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/ |title=Welcome to Science City York – 10 Years Promoting Innovation and Creativity |publisher=Science City York |access-date=15 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531004904/http://www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/ |archive-date=31 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Between 1998 and 2008, York gained 80 new technology companies and 2,800 new jobs in the sector.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Science City York |publisher=Science City York |year=2006 |url=http://www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/about/index.html |access-date=19 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804055318/http://www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/about/index.html |archive-date=4 August 2007}}</ref><ref name="strgv">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf |title=Regional Gross Value Added |publisher=Office for National Statistics |year=2005 |pages=240–253 |access-date=19 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728091019/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf |archive-date=28 July 2011}}</ref>

===Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic===
The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] was confirmed to have [[COVID-19 pandemic in England|reached England]] after cases were discovered in York on 31 January 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ball|first1=Tom|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/hunt-for-contacts-of-coronavirus-stricken-pair-in-york-dh363qf8k|title=Hunt for contacts of coronavirus-stricken pair in York|date=31 January 2020|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=6 March 2020|url-status=live|last2=Wace|first2=Charlotte |issn=0140-0460|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204105559/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hunt-for-contacts-of-coronavirus-stricken-pair-in-york-dh363qf8k|archive-date=4 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Moss|first1=Peter|last2=Barlow|first2=Gavin|last3=Easom|first3=Nicholas|last4=Lillie|first4=Patrick|last5=Samson|first5=Anda|date=14 March 2020|title=Lessons for managing high-consequence infections from first COVID-19 cases in the UK|journal=The Lancet|volume=395|issue=10227|pages=e46|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30463-3|issn=0140-6736|pmid=32113507|pmc=7133597|url=https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2820%2930463-3|doi-access=free|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331102349/https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2820%2930463-3|archive-date=31 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The pandemic caused an economic slowdown because of restrictions imposed on businesses and on travel in the UK; by January 2021, many cities were in their third lockdown and the country's unemployment rate had reached its highest level in over four years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.centreforcities.org/blog/labour-market-update-what-does-the-third-lockdown-mean-for-the-largest-cities-and-towns/|title=Labour market update: what does the third lockdown mean for the largest cities and towns?|date=25 February 2021|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310102847/https://www.centreforcities.org/blog/labour-market-update-what-does-the-third-lockdown-mean-for-the-largest-cities-and-towns/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/unemployment-rate-soars-highest-level-more-four-years-3112648|title=Unemployment rate soars to highest level for more than four years|work=The Yorkshire Post|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126094904/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/unemployment-rate-soars-highest-level-more-four-years-3112648|url-status=live}}</ref> The retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors were especially hard hit in York.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/02/york-crossroads-coronavirus-tourism-city-pandemic|title='No one expected this': York at crossroads as coronavirus takes toll|first=Josh|last=Halliday|date=2 August 2020|access-date=2 March 2021|work=The Guardian|archive-date=28 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228184149/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/02/york-crossroads-coronavirus-tourism-city-pandemic|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2020, the campaign "Make It York" and the city council embarked on a six-month tourism marketing plan "to reenergise the city while building resident and visitor confidence".<ref name="auto3"/>

A report in June 2020 stated that unemployment had risen 114% over the previous year because of restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18508829.toughest-time-living-memory---unemployment-141-york/|title='Toughest time in living memory' – unemployment up 141 in York|work=York Press|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=1 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801201337/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18508829.toughest-time-living-memory---unemployment-141-york/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to high unemployment during lockdown periods, one analysis by the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership predicted in August 2020 that "as many as 13,835 jobs in York will be lost in the scenario considered most likely, taking the city's unemployment rate to 14.5%". Some critics claimed that part of the problem was caused by "over-reliance on the booming tourism industry at the expense of a long-term economic plan".<ref name="auto2"/> Other analyses suggested that "York is well-placed for the high street to recover and evolve from the pandemic if new businesses focus on creating an attraction or experience rather than traditional retail". The North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership also "predicted a significant rise in [[staycation]] trips to York in 2021".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/good-news-york-empty-shops-city-centre-are-being-bought-local-investors-3082725|title='Good news' for York as empty shops in city centre are being bought by local investors|work=The Yorkshire Post|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107122651/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/good-news-york-empty-shops-city-centre-are-being-bought-local-investors-3082725|url-status=live}}</ref>