Work is underway to re-open York
City of York Council Leader Keith Aspden has welcomed an end to the tier system.
Work's underway in York to prepare for the re-opening of retail and pubs in the coming weeks.
We've been speaking exclusively to City of York Council leader Keith Aspden about local issues, as part of our #LeadersInLockdown news special.
The Councillor for Fulford and Heslington said: "An awful lot of work is happening now to re-open York and the city centre. For me, it's reflecting on the success that we had last Summer in York.
"Back then, there was a lot of new outdoor spaces and pop-up spaces. Our BID team and businesses did a huge amount of work to make sure that people were safe, that information and signs were there, and that hand sanitiser was readily available.
"I know that amount of effort and more is going to go into making sure that we support businesses, and will make our city centre as safe as possible for that re-opening.
"I certainly hope, as I'm sure everybody in York does, that this is the last national lockdown. Tier systems and lockdowns have such significant impacts on residents and businesses.
"I think that the Government learned that the tier system didn't work last time, because no where - particularly cities like York - are islands. We're surrounded by a variety of other areas.
"We're lucky to have a city that a lot of people want to visit and look at. I hope that the roadmap - with a gradual relaxation of rules everywhere at the same time - is the right course.
"The Government must make sure that they give enough time for the various steps and don't get rushed so that we avoid another lockdown".
You can watch our full #LeadersInLockdown interview with Cllr Keith Aspden below: