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11
Jun
Big wheel to make summer return to Harrogate
The big wheel is to return to Harrogate — but in summer rather than at Christmas.
North Yorkshire Council revealed details of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre last week, as reported here.
The announcement did not mention a big wheel, which has been a central part of the fayre in recent years.
This prompted the Stray Ferret to ask the council to confirm if one would feature and whether the ice rink, which was part of the 2022 and 2023 offerings but not 2024, would be back.
Councillor Mark Crane, the council’s executive member for open to business, said:
Last Christmas, poor weather meant the big wheel was not able to operate to its full potential. As a result, we have agreed, subject to contract, that it can return to the town for three weeks this summer, when the conditions should allow residents and visitors to get much better views over the town.
With regard to the ice rink, Events by Cynosure did not deliver the event in 2024, and North Yorkshire Council did not pay the company to host the rink in previous years.
Ice rink
The fayre, which will feature town centre stalls and a road train, has been reduced from 17 days to 10 days this year. It took place over 10 days at the first fayre in 2021.
Asked why it had been shortened, Cllr Crane said:
While research from Harrogate Business Improvement District showed significant public support for last year’s event, we know that it is not easy for some smaller, artisan businesses to provide stock for an extended 17-day period. By reverting to the original timescale we hope to address that situation and attract a wider variety of stallholders.
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