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31
Jul 2021
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:
Mr Dunsby was unaware of the news until he was informed by the Stray Ferret on Thursday night.
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".
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