Harrogate Borough Council and the organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Market are set to hold crunch talks to try to save the event for this year.
It will be the first time that the two groups have held a meeting since the council refused a licence for the market on Montpellier Hill just over two weeks ago.
The meeting will take place tomorrow morning and will centre on alternative locations for the Harrogate Christmas Market.
Brian Dunsby and his team of directors are set to talk with Alison Wilson, the head of parks and environmental services at the council.
Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Lib Dems at Harrogate Borough Council, set up the meeting but has been told by the council not to attend. She said:
“I felt very upset and saddened that this annual event would not be going ahead.
“I contacted the council to see if a meeting could be set up to resolve the issue, either by getting the event licenced or looking for alternative sites.
“Harrogate needs this market, it is a part of Harrogate’s events calendar and we cannot and should not lose it.”
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This comes after council leader Richard Cooper formalised talks with a new set of organisers and described Mr Dunsby’s team as the “former Christmas market organisers”.
If the council were to proceed without Mr Dunsby’s team it is unclear what would happen to the 170 traders and 53 coaches which are already booked to attend this year’s event.
Brian Dunsby told the Stray Ferret ahead of his meeting:
“The agenda is alternative locations. I don’t think there are any other locations which are suitable for the Christmas market.
“We have got everything set up and ready to run at Montpellier Hill.
“I am hoping they will explain why the event is not suitable on Montpellier Hill, that is something the council have not yet done.
“We just have to wait and see.”
