York: local services worth knowing about

York’s everyday businesses sit a little way back from the tourist trade. The coaches pull up at the walled city, but most of the plumbers, salons, cafes and independent trades are out in Huntington, Haxby, Rawcliffe and Heworth, where people actually live.

438 York businesses are currently listed on WotsItCalled, mostly in Huntington, Haxby, Rawcliffe, Heworth, Strensall and Wigginton. You can browse everything listed in York on one page or drop into a category below.

The local trades you’ll actually need

Look to the suburbs rather than the walled city. Huntington has more listed businesses than anywhere else in York, from plumbing to construction, and Haxby comes a close second. The villages around the city (Strensall and Wigginton to the north, Copmanthorpe to the south-west) have their own long-established firms.

Prices are generally fair next to Leeds or Harrogate. The well-reviewed firms get booked up for planned work, so don’t leave boilers or extensions until the last minute.

• Plumbers: York plumbers. Deighton Plumbing in Huntington is one of the well-reviewed locals.
• Electricians: 19 York electricians listed. CG Electrical York in Huntington is one of the most-reviewed on the directory.
• Car mechanics: York garages. Autohaus Diagnostics and The MOT Man York both get consistent reviews.
• Builders: York builders. L.E Pickles & Son LTD in Huntington and PRISM PROJECTS are both solid.

Firms based in Huntington and Haxby will usually cover the whole YO postcode without a travel charge. The outer-village firms often keep to a smaller patch, so ask before you book.

Where to eat, drink, and grab a coffee

Eating out in York works on two levels. Tourists fill the walled city, while the neighbourhood cafes, pubs and restaurants that locals use week in, week out are in Haxby village, Huntington and Heworth. The directory covers both.

Haxby village quietly does it best, with proper cafes, a couple of good restaurants and pubs full of regulars. Heworth and Fulford have their own neighbourhood spots too. The walled city is lovely, but it’s not where you go on a Tuesday.

• Restaurants: York restaurants. JANNA SPICE in Haxby is one of the well-reviewed local spots.
• Cafes and coffee shops: 20 York cafes listed. Strensall Coffee House and Aroma Coffee Shop in Haxby both review well.
• Pubs and bars: 21 York pubs and bars, one of the best-covered categories in York. Valhalla York and Quinns Wine Café in Haxby are both worth a visit.
• Takeaways: York takeaways in every postcode.

Hair, beauty, health, and wellbeing

The suburbs are where York’s salons are. Haxby has a proper cluster of well-reviewed independents, and there are barbers and hairdressers right across Huntington and Rawcliffe. Gyms are covered from one end of the city to the other.

Dentists split between private cosmetic and NHS, and the number of dental and cosmetic clinics has grown a lot in the last few years, with strong independents in Huntington, Haxby and Wigginton. They’re usually cheaper than Harrogate or Leeds for the same work, but shop around before you book treatment.

• Hairdressers and barbers: York salons and barbers. The Colour Works Hair Salon in Huntington and Menzone in Haxby both review well.
• Beauty salons: 21 York beauty salons listed. Violets Beauty Bar in Haxby is one of the top-rated on the directory.
• Dentists: York dentists. Wigginton Dental Practice is well established.
• Gyms: York gyms, including Fit Club York and The Recharge Hub.

Professional services

Most of the larger firms are in the city centre, but there are solid independent accountants and solicitors in Huntington, Haxby and Acomb. Estate agents cluster where commuters move between the villages and the city.

The independent accountants in Haxby and Huntington often undercut city-centre firms on small business work, and fixed fees are common. Get two or three quotes before you choose.

• Solicitors: York solicitors. Laker Legal Solicitors does general practice work.
• Accountants: 16 York accountants listed, Atrium Accounts Ltd among them.
• Estate agents: York estate agents. Reeds Rains Estate Agents in Haxby is a well-reviewed local branch.

What’s changed lately

Over the last few years the action has moved outside the walls. Haxby village has become a proper local business hub, Huntington keeps adding trades and services, and Heworth and Fulford are slowly gaining independents of their own.

New York listings go up regularly, often because a local suggested them. If you know a York business that should be on here, send us the name and it’ll be added within a few days. There’s no signup, no fee and no follow-up.

The short version

• 438 York businesses listed on the directory.
• Huntington and Haxby lead the suburbs.
• 21 pubs and bars listed, with builders, dentists and salons not far behind.
• Good independent salons, cafes and trades outside the walled city.
• Every category page links straight to real phone numbers and addresses.

WotsItCalled is a free UK business directory. No signup, no catch. Browse everything listed in York, or find the place everyone’s on about.