In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the controversial changes to Harrogate’s Christmas markets.
The organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Market had 170 traders and 53 coaches booked to attend the annual event on Montpellier Hill in November when their plans were scuppered in July.
Harrogate Borough Council announced it had rejected the organisers’ event management plan because it “did not fully take into account the risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter-terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of covid”.
The council quickly revealed plans to stage an alternative event in partnership with Market Place, a specialist market company from Greater Manchester. It later emerged the two organisations had been in talks since March.
The collaboration, which was extended to include Harrogate Business Improvement District, led to the creation of the first Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which took place in town centre streets from December 3 to 12.
Besides stalls, the fayre included a free road train called the Candy Cane Express, a carousel, helter skelter and ferris wheel.
The Candy Cane Express road train.
The town centre location and added attractions seemed to go down well, although some were disappointed with the lack of variety of stalls.
But it seems the event will return in 2022. Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, has spoken glowingly of it and of bringing it back next year.
Operations manager from Marketplace Europe, Andy Pidgen.
Andy Pidgen, operations manager at Market Place Europe, told the Stray Ferret:
“It went really well, the traders were very pleased. Some of the businesses I have spoken to said how good the event was for footfall. The council and Harrogate BID really liked it.
“We still need to have a debrief with both organisations in January but at the moment I would say I am feeling quite positive about next year.
“There are a few things I would like to tweak in terms of chalet locations but overall we would aim to make the Harrogate Christmas Fayre bigger and better in 2022.”
A separate artisan market was held in Valley Gardens on the first weekend of the fayre. Its success means the organisers, Little Bird Made, are now hoping to stage monthly artisan markets at the same venue.
Read more:
- Harrogate Christmas market cancelled
- Traders and visitors give thumbs-up to first Harrogate Christmas Fayre
What is yet to be seen is whether the council’s warm welcome would extend to the organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Market, who hope to bring their event back next year.
Steve Scarre, the vice-chairman of the Harrogate Christmas Market.
Steve Scarre, vice-chairman of Harrogate Christmas Market, told the Stray Ferret that he will enter talks with the council and submit a new event management plan in January.
He said:
“We are planning to hold the Harrogate Christmas Market in the Montpellier Quarter next year.
“Every year there are new requirements that we have always tried to meet. We bend over backwards to make it as safe and enjoyable as possible.
“We have asked for a meeting with the council in January and plan to submit an event management plan then.
“From the very beginning we have said we have no issue with a separate event in the town centre.
“But our Harrogate Christmas Market works in the Montpellier Quarter. It is simply magical down there.”
Without the foresight of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, it seems difficult to predict at this stage how many markets Harrogate will get next Christmas.
