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21

Mar 2022

Last Updated: 21/03/2022
Business
Business

Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd gives up battle to bring back Montpellier Hill event

by John Plummer

| 21 Mar, 2022
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The market, which was staged from 2012 to 2019, attracted over 80,000 visitors, 187 coaches and nearly 200 traders. But Harrogate Borough Council's decision to refuse its event management plan last year led to its cancellation.

harrogate-christmas-market-2016
Shoppers at a previous Christmas Fayre

The organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill have given up their battle to bring the event back.

The market, which was staged from 2012 to 2019, attracted over 80,000 visitors, 187 coaches and nearly 200 traders.

But the event was scuppered late into its planning stages last year when Harrogate Borough Council refused its event management plan.

The council then staged an alternative 10-day Harrogate Christmas Fayre in the town centre in partnership with Market Place, a specialist market company from Greater Manchester.

Brian Dunsby, co-organiser of the Montpellier Hill event, had been campaigning to bring back the event but he has now conceded defeat.

'Fed-up to the back teeth'


He told the Stray Ferret he was "fed-up to the back teeth" with the situation with the council and negotiations had "reached the end of the line".

"It's extremely disappointing after eight years of extremely successful events and then two years waiting in the wings trying to keep it going."


Mr Dunsby added it was too soon to contemplate what might happen when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished next year and replaced by the new North Yorkshire Council.



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A statement from Mr Dunsby and his wife, Beryl, co-organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, said:

"The Harrogate Christmas Market team leaders have now decided not to organise any future markets in Harrogate. We thank all our super local volunteers, voluntary organisations, local contractors and traders for all their support over the years.
"We wish those taking up the challenge of providing a good quality Christmas Market in Harrogate all the best as we know how hard it is to create something that is truly appreciated by visitors and traders and which supports local businesses.
"Thanks for your support over the past 10 years."