The organisers of Harrogate Christmas market have said they were “staggered” by the decision not to grant a licence for this year’s event and called for urgent talks to save it.
Event organisers Brian and Beryl Dunsby, and Steve Scarre, the chairman of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, issued a statement this afternoon in the latest development in the saga.
The statement said the organisers had “bent over backwards” to fulfil safety measures and that Harrogate Borough Council had acted prematurely “without any discussion with the organisers over the outstanding issues”.
The council said on Thursday it had refused to grant a licence for the event because the organisers had not addressed concerns about safety and terrorism.
But today’s statement by the organisers said:
“At no point has there been any opportunity to meet the council officers and other key experts to discuss their outstanding concerns.
“We expected to be invited to a safety advisory group meeting to discuss the event plan and the supplementary information but we have not been given that opportunity.
“We have bent over backwards to fulfil all the recommended security and safety measures around the site. In contrast to all their criticisms, we have not had the opportunity to talk about the benefits which the market brings to town centre businesses. These appear not to have been considered by them.”
Mr Dunsby was unaware of the news until he was informed by the Stray Ferret on Thursday night.
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The statement added:
“We regret that the council has acted prematurely in refusing to grant a licence for the market in 2021 without any discussion with the organisers over the outstanding issues.
“We appeal for a proper consultation meeting with the relevant council officers and experts as soon as possible.
A total of 170 traders and 53 coaches had booked to attend the market on Montpellier Hill from November 18 to 21. It was expected to attract 85,000 people to the town, boosting its economy by £2.5 million.
The statement said the event had “strong support from over 20 local trade and voluntary groups based in the town centre”.
‘Little choice but to refuse’
Council leader Richard Cooper said yesterday the event organisers had ignored concerns, leaving the council with “little choice”.
He also warned them “not to think that trying to galvanise public opinion to put pressure on the council will change the decision”.
He said the council had suggested alternative locations to Montpellier Hill for several years but the organisers had refused.
However, today’s statement refers to a council-commissioned 2016 report by consultant Malcolm Veigas that concluded to the Stray was the best location.
The statement said:
“The network of tarmac paths surrounded by grass enables the mix of many visitors and the erection of marquees and canvas stalls on the same site, whatever the weather holds for us all in November. So we do need a large and versatile site.
“We still believe that the totally open nature of this location with free access in all directions provides a safe location for the event whilst being as close as possible to the town centre shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes.
“The action we have already taken to close Montpellier Hill during the Market to through traffic and the hill-top concrete blocks mitigate against the risk of a terrorist attack.
