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20
Sept 2021
Last Updated: 20/09/2021
Dates and locations for new Harrogate Christmas market revealed
Harrogate Borough Council has been working with Market Place Europe, Harrogate BID, North Yorkshire County Council on the new event.
The new Harrogate Christmas market is to be held on various streets in the town centre across 10 days in December.
New organisers Market Place Europe will stage its version of the seasonal market from Friday, December 3 until Sunday, December 12.
Stalls will be located on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.
Harrogate Borough Council revealed the details in a statement today, which also said that due to coronavirus, there will be around 50 traders with stalls spaced wider than usual.
The original Harrogate Christmas Market had around 170 traders and 55 coaches booked to attend and was expected to attract around 90,000 visitors over four days.
The council is working with Market Place Europe, Harrogate BID and North Yorkshire County Council on the new event, which will take the place of the one traditionally held on Montpellier Hill.
The organisers plan to have a larger number of stalls next year, subject to an improved public health situation.
Read more:
- Harrogate council began talks with new Christmas market organiser in March
- Harrogate MP welcomes new Christmas market as local traders move on
However, the Harrogate Christmas Fayre, as the new event is known, still needs to wait to get an approved event management plan.
According to today's statement, the new event will feature "a number of local traders" as well as those from across Europe. Arts and crafts as well as food and drink will all be on offer.
Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:
"As operators of award-winning markets in cities such as Belfast and Glasgow, I’m sure Market Place Europe will bring a first-class offering that truly gets people in the festive mood.
"It’s been a difficult 18 months for everyone and I am confident that by working with them, local partners and stakeholders we will be able to deliver a safe, vibrant and attractive Christmas fayre.
"It will drive visitors to our district’s shops, restaurants, visitor attractions, hotels and B&Bs this festive season."
Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said:
"Extensive research has demonstrated that our events provide additional support to town centre economies.
"As Harrogate emerges from a challenging number of months we are looking forward to bringing a quality family friendly yuletide offering to the town centre.
"We have already had several expressions of interest from a number of coach companies who are keen to bring visitors to Harrogate this Christmas."
Cllr Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for access and member for Harrogate Saltergate, said:
"As always, our priority will be to ensure that the highways arrangements will be safe, with minimal disruption to local businesses and to residents.
"I am sure that the fayre will provide a welcome boost for the town’s businesses and residents after a difficult couple of years."
What happened to Harrogate Christmas Market?
Harrogate Borough Council refused a licence for the former Harrogate Christmas Market due to concerns about coronavirus, overcrowding and terrorism.
After three weeks of wrangling with the council, co-organiser Brian Dunsby admitted defeat in his battle to hold the event on Montpellier Hill.
It later emerged the council had been engaged in talks with Manchester-based organisers Market Place Europe since March and has now ramped up those discussions about staging an alternative Christmas market in December.
Brian Dunsby, who co-founded the original Harrogate Christmas Market with former mayor John Fox, said:
"We are determined to organise another traditional Harrogate Christmas Market in November 2022 – hopefully in the usual location.
"We also ploughed back over £90,000 into local good causes over the past five years. It will be interesting to see how much the new venture will donate to similar local good causes."
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