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02
Jun
Live music to jazz up market day shopping in Ripon
Musicians will perform live in Ripon on Thursdays this summer to boost market day shopping.
Ripon City Council voted unanimously last night to support a programme of Thursday music throughout July, August and September.
The money will be repurposed from funds allocated to the cancelled Ripon Amplified talent contest.
Councillor Andrew Williams, who leads the Independent Putting Ripon Above Party Politics group on the city council, proposed the idea at a meeting last night (June 1).
He said data revealed Thursdays had been one of the worst days for footfall in Ripon, if not the worst, for over a year.
Cllr Williams added:
I was in Wetherby recently on a Thursday and noticed Wetherby has a smaller market on a Thursday than we have here in Ripon but there was entertainment to encourage dwell time and ambiance.
I think this is something we should look to do in Ripon in the summer period. Not just to promote the market but to promote trade in Ripon generally.
It would be appropriate during July, August and September to provide some background music within the city, not just centred on the market square, but aiming to boost trade in all of our streets. It would be nice to have regular jazz, for example, on a Thursday moving around the city.
Ripon City Council has allocated £69,000 from its £501,546 budget in 2026/27 towards events.
Ripon Amplified, which would have cost £7,000 to stage, was intended to provide local talent with an opportunity to shine on a professional stage with sound and lighting, with the winner performing at this year’s Christmas lights switch-on on November 14. But it was cancelled due to lack of interest.
Its funding will now be repurposed on the live music programme.
Cllr Williams said the city council would hire local musicians “wherever possible” to provide the entertainment.
Cllr Pauline McHardy, a Liberal Democrat, said:
We’ve got 24 permanent stallholders. It’s only a couple of years since we had over 40 so if this encourages people to come to our market that would be good.
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