Harrogate Borough Council has told organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Market it will not meet to discuss plans for the event on Montpellier Hill.
The market organisers called for a meeting at the end of July after the council declined to issue a licence for the event, placing it in jeopardy.
A total of 170 traders and 53 coaches had booked to attend the market, which was expected to attract 85,000 people to the town from November 18 to 21, boosting its economy by £2.5 million.
But in an email seen by the Stray Ferret, Wallace Sampson, chief executive at Harrogate Borough Council, told Brian Dunsby, one of the three market organisers:
“To be clear, the council will not meet to discuss the reasons for declining a licence for Montpellier Hill as the reasons have already been set out to you in writing.”
Mr Dunsby told the Stray Ferret last night:
“We had no response to our request for a meeting until today. I think Mr Sampson’s position is immoral.
“Since the news broke about Harrogate Christmas Market we have been inundated with messages of support from both traders and retailers.
“We believe that there is no viable alternative location near to the town centre – which is vital in terms of attracting visitors into the town centre.”
If Montpellier Hill is no longer an option, the organisers may have to consider moving the event to a different location although they have insisted they do not believe there is a viable alternative.
Harrogate Borough Council has said it is working on alternative festive arrangements and may consider doing so without the current organisers. It has said it has already received “a number of expressions of interest” from potential partners.
Read more:
- Deadlock on Harrogate Christmas Market talks
- Harrogate Christmas market organisers call for urgent talks to save event
