Anti-terrorism measures for Harrogate Christmas Fayre cost £15,000, with Harrogate Borough Council paying half.
The inaugural event was run by the council in the town centre in partnership with Market Place, a specialist market company from Greater Manchester.
It saw stalls and stands selling food, drink and gifts around Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.
The fayre was organised after the original Harrogate Christmas Market, on Montpellier Hill, was cancelled after the council refused to sign off the organisers’ event management plan.
The council had raised concerns with co-organiser Brian Dunsby that the plan didn’t adequately address the threat from terrorists.
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In 2016, terrorists drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin, leaving 12 people dead.
Since then, Christmas markets across the UK have beefed up security to thwart any similar attempts.
The Harrogate Christmas Fayre saw temporary bollards on both ends of Cambridge Street and in other locations in the town centre to stop vehicles from entering.
The council’s publicly available list of payments over £250 includes a payment of £7,453.83 to Market Place, which a council spokesperson said was to pay for the bollards. The final bill was split 50/50 with the company.
The spokesperson said:
“As part of the event delivery plan for Harrogate Christmas Fayre, and following guidance and advice from North Yorkshire Police, we wanted to ensure a safe and enjoyable market was delivered, especially following incidents in other cities previously.
“Therefore, to ensure the safety of residents, traders and visitors of the fayre, we agreed to split the costs of anti-terrorism measures with Market Place Europe to mitigate any potential risks.
“As this was organised via Market Place Europe, our share was paid to them rather than the supplier.”
