Council drops Harrogate Christmas Market organisers after row

Harrogate Borough Council has dropped the organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market after a row over the location.

Council leader Richard Cooper described the volunteers who created and built up the event as the “former Christmas market organisers” in a statement released today.

He added the council was now having formal discussions with a new organisation about running the market.

A total of 170 traders and 53 coaches had booked to attend this year’s event on Montpellier Hill from November 18 to 21. Some 85,000 people were expected to attend and contribute about £2.5 million to the district’s economy. It is now unclear what will happen to those bookings or indeed the event.

Today’s news comes just two weeks after the council refused a licence for the Christmas market — it said the emergency services had raised safety concerns about the location on Montpellier Hill.

The Stray Ferret has asked the council several times without success to see the advice it received from the emergency services.

Cllr Cooper, who has previously warned Mr Dunsby not to try to galvanise public support for his cause, said people were now bored of the row and it was time to move on. But he said the council was prepared to meet the organisers to explore alternative locations.

However, Brian Dunsby, one of three co-organisers of the market, said he has offered several times to meet the council to discuss concerns.

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Today’s statements in full

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council:

“It’s time to move on. The he-said-she-said Punch and Judy show between the council and the former Christmas market organisers, about the feasibility of Montpellier Hill, isn’t getting us any further forward and the public are bored of it.

“What is important is that Harrogate hosts a safe, vibrant and attractive Christmas market bring more people into our town to shop in our fantastic independents stores, sample our amazing cafés and restaurants and set cash registers ringing.

“So we are moving the conversation on to focus only on that goal now. Fortunately, a number of event organisers have been in touch, with one in-particular showing great enthusiasm to bring their business and expertise to Harrogate town centre this Christmas. And why wouldn’t they with all that we have to offer?

“From today we are formalising that discussion.

“We are also keeping the invitation open to the former organisers to explore alternative locations and discuss those with us, for the betterment of town centre trade. And put the previous disagreements behind us all.”

Brian Dunsby, co-organiser of Harrogate Christmas Market:

“We have offered to meet the senior council officer Alison Wilson to discuss potential other locations – provided that if none is found suitable then we need to address the real reasons for refusing a licence to hold the event as usual on Montpellier Hill and St Mary’s Walk. We believe they are not valid reasons for refusal of a licence.

“Unfortunately the council leader and chief executive are not even prepared to meet us to discuss face to face the issues that they have raised which we believe we have resolved safely! So we are sending them another detailed response to the issues raised by Alison Wilson.

“Shortly we shall send another rebuttal of the issues alleged to have been raised by the emergency services.

“We have asked each of the Yorkshire fire and rescue, ambulance and police services for a meeting to clarify their concerns which we feel are all previously resolved.”

Stray Views: For goodness sake, save Harrogate Christmas market!

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.

Council negativity towards Christmas market is affecting traders

The benefits to the town of the Christmas market are enormous and the increased footfall and spend attests to this. The market is close enough to the town centre for everyone to benefit.

Unfortunately, Harrogate Borough Council this year has decided otherwise. It is saying that “the event plan did not take into account the risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of covid”.

However this is not the case — the site is open with easy access to the outside, the council closes the roads and there are big concrete blocks at the top of the hill. It doesn’t get overcrowded — it’s less busy than indoor shopping centres, football stadia, nightclubs etc where people are in close contact for more than the guidelines of 15 minutes.

That the council was not in touch with the organisers prior to making this decision reflects very badly on them.

Organising an event of this nature takes a great deal of time and planning and attractions have already been booked, such as the reindeers and Father Christmas! It is very late in the year for stall holders to make alternative arrangements.

I am a local craftsman and rely on events like this to stay in business, and I am only one of many in a similar situation. The government policy at the moment is to get the economy moving again as soon as possible.

Harrogate Borough Council’s negative attitude is hindering this process.

Lyn Grant, Harrogate

Labour’s politics of envy over Julian Smith’s advisory roles

Thank you for giving us details of Julian Smith’s lists of advisory roles. He is obviously highly regarded by these organisations who value his skills and expertise, why otherwise would they recruit him?

The comments of ex-Labour candidate Brian McDaid are wholly inappropriate. MPs on all sides of the House of Commons have similar advisory rolls and provided they are recorded on their register of interests they are quite normal.

Might I add that I have had occasion to seek Mr Smith’s assistance on three occasions since he was elected as the MP for Skipton and Ripon and he has on all occasions responded promptly and met me locally at his regular surgeries.

His re-election suggests he is doing the job by the electors. The politics of envy will never be a worthy news item.

Brian Hicks, Pateley Bridge

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Poor shopping, beggars… is it any wonder people are avoiding Harrogate?

Today I met with a friend from outside the area who was saying how much she used to enjoy coming in to Harrogate to shop but doesn’t come in any more.

The reasons given were so many empty shops, cheap discount stores on what was the upmarket street and beggars sitting and almost partying around the town.

I later walked up Parliament Street and in a doorway just before the old Debenhams store there were five people with drinks, sleeping bags etc and a mess on the pavement that appeared to be vomit.

Is it any surprise that people are becoming reluctant to come in to Harrogate? Do enough people care and if so what can be done about it?

Sandra Fielding, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

 

Deadlock on Harrogate Christmas Market talks

Harrogate Borough Council and organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Market seem to have reached stalemate in talks to save the event.

Since news that the market would not be able to go ahead on Montpellier Hill, both the council and event organisers have called for each other to engage in talks.

A week has now gone and both seem to blame each other for the situation. The council has now said it is working with other event organisers after it received “a number of expressions of interest”.

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In another statement prompted by a wave of questions, a council spokesperson said:

“Significant concerns remain for the emergency services and, as the organiser isn’t willing to address these, we simply cannot grant a licence for this location.

“We’ve made this decision now, following numerous conversations over the years, to allow enough time for alternative options to be explored.

“Other locations have been suggested but these have been refused. If the organisers wish to continue these discussions then we advise they get in touch soon.

“We’ve had a number of expressions of interest and we’re working with event organisers to ensure alternative Christmas festivities take place.”

Brian Dunsby, who is the event organiser, told the Stray Ferret after reading the latest statement:

“We have not been given the chance to see or hear the emergency services response this year. The police were satisfied with what we proposed last year.

“We have asked for an appeal to review the outstanding issues. Also we have asked for a meeting to review the alternative locations.

“The statement makes it feels as if the council is trying to get rid of the team that has organised a successful market for the past eight years.

“We welcome other festivities but they should be complimentary to the Harrogate Christmas Market.”

Harrogate Christmas Market traders slam decision to cancel event

Two local stallholders at the Harrogate Christmas Market have expressed their frustrations after the event was cancelled for a second year in a row.

Harrogate Borough Council blamed the move on the event organiser’s event management plan when it released a statement on Thursday evening.

The council said the plan did not take the “risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter-terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of covid” into account.

It is a decision which not only took the organiser Brian Dunsby by surprise but also some of the local stallholders.

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Steve Green, co-founder of Harrogate Tipple, told the Stray Ferret:

“This is just horrific and pathetic. It is a disgrace, I feel really strongly about the way the council announced this as well on Twitter.

“The council did not give us any heads up. It took us a little while to become a stallholder but ever since it has been great for us.

“It has been great for local businesses and for the other stallholders too so I am absolutely dumbfounded.”

Rob Whitehead, managing director of The Serious Sweet Company, also the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate’s Christmas market works extremely well, it is a good demonstration of local businesses.

“It all seems very unfair really, I just do not understand. Our business normally just supplies supermarkets.

“But we like to do the local Christmas market as well and we have built up quite a loyal following over the years.”

The event organisers hope to hold urgent talks with Harrogate Borough Council soon to try and save the three-day event.

Harrogate Christmas market organisers call for urgent talks to save event

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:

“At no point has there been any opportunity to meet the council officers and other key experts to discuss their outstanding concerns.

“We expected to be invited to a safety advisory group meeting to discuss the event plan and the supplementary information but we have not been given that opportunity.

“We have bent over backwards to fulfil all the recommended security and safety measures around the site. In contrast to all their criticisms, we have not had the opportunity to talk about the benefits which the market brings to town centre businesses. These appear not to have been considered by them.”

Mr Dunsby was unaware of the news until he was informed by the Stray Ferret on Thursday night.

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The statement added:

“We regret that the council has acted prematurely in refusing to grant a licence for the market in 2021 without any discussion with the organisers over the outstanding issues.

“We appeal for a proper consultation meeting with the relevant council officers and experts as soon as possible.

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”.

‘Little choice but to refuse’

Council leader Richard Cooper said yesterday the event organisers had ignored concerns, leaving the council with “little choice”.

He also warned them “not to think that trying to galvanise public opinion to put pressure on the council will change the decision”.

He said the council had suggested alternative locations to Montpellier Hill for several years but the organisers had refused.

However, today’s statement refers to a council-commissioned 2016 report by consultant Malcolm Veigas that concluded to the Stray was the best location.

The statement said:

“The network of tarmac paths surrounded by grass enables the mix of many visitors and the erection of marquees and canvas stalls on the same site, whatever the weather holds for us all in November. So we do need a large and versatile site.

“We still believe that the totally open nature of this location with free access in all directions provides a safe location for the event whilst being as close as possible to the town centre shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes.

“The action we have already taken to close Montpellier Hill during the Market to through traffic and the hill-top concrete blocks mitigate against the risk of a terrorist attack.

 

 

Harrogate Christmas market cancelled

Harrogate Christmas market has been cancelled for the second year running.

Harrogate Borough Council issued a statement this evening saying “the event management plan did not fully take into account the risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter-terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of covid”.

Brian Dunsby, the event organiser, was unaware of the news until the Stray Ferret contacted him tonight.

Mr Dunsby said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the decision and would fight it.

He said 170 traders and 53 coaches had booked to attend the event on Montpellier Hill, which was due to take place from November 18 to 21.

“This is an outdoor event and there is no reason to cancel. It’s quite unjustifiable.

“The Christmas market is part of the social programme for the town and for traders. We can’t tolerate this and will fight back.”

Mr Dunsby said he was unaware of concerns by the council.

The council’s statement said it was “working hard to ensure alternative Christmas festivities take place”.

Its full statement is included in the tweet below.

After careful consideration, Harrogate Christmas Market will not be taking place on the Stray at Montpellier Hill this year.

More follows in the statement below…⬇️ pic.twitter.com/7kHhDyiklz

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) July 29, 2021

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Bookings coming in fast for Harrogate Christmas Market

The return of Harrogate Christmas Market looks set to be popular with many visitors and traders already booked to attend.

Organisers have said 40 coach loads of visitors and 150 traders have booked for the four-day November extravaganza.

Last year’s market was cancelled due to covid but with lockdown restrictions due to be lifted on June 21, planning for this year is going ahead.

The event will take place at its usual location on Montpellier Hill and St Mary’s Walk from November 18 to 21.

Opening times will be 10-8pm on Thursday and Friday, 9.30-8pm on Saturday and 9.30-5.30pm on Sunday.

A newsletter sent today by market organisers Brian and Beryl Dunsby, and Steve Scarre, said:

“We have been taking applications since early March and have now accepted a total of 150 traders’ applications towards a maximum of 190 stalls – with many enquiries outstanding for a follow-up.

“We began inviting coach groups on May 2 and bookings have started to come in – now up to 40 coach loads.”

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The newsletter added that access to Montpellier Hill and Esplanade will be restricted during the build-up and for the four days of the market. St Mary’s Walk North will be closed from November 15 to 23.

Admission to the market, which is expected to include a funfair and Father Christmas and his reindeer as usual, is free.

The first meeting of the Christmas market supporters group will take place on June 23 at Harrogate’s White Hart Hotel.

Harrogate Christmas Market organisers ‘confident’ of November date

Organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Market have said they are confident this year’s event in November will go ahead.

They have confirmed their plans to hold the market on the Montpellier Hill area from Thursday, November 18 to Sunday, November 21.

Many large public events this year have been cancelled due to ongoing covid uncertainty, especially over insurance but the Christmas market organisers said they expected to have adequate cover.

A one-way system to control the flow of people will be put in place.

However, the organisers said it wasn’t possible to control the number of visitors in an area as big as the Stray but this should not be a barrier with all social distancing rules set to go on June 21.

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Officials pulled the plug in August on last year’s Christmas market amid concerns over the spread of coronavirus.

It was the first time that the four-day event, which has been running annually since 2012, did not go ahead.

Brian Dunsby, who runs the Christmas market, told the Stray Ferret:

“We feel quite confident. We do not know what the government requirements will be but we will observe them.

“There’s already big demand. We have 140 traders booked in and 15 coach loads already.”

Harrogate Christmas Market set to go ahead this year

Plans are being made to ensure Harrogate Christmas Market can return to the town centre in 2021.

The market, which first took place in 2012, had to be cancelled last year as changing covid restrictions made it impossible for organisers to plan a safe event without risk of last-minute cancellation.

However, following the government’s ‘road map’ out of lockdown which could see all restrictions lifted in June, the committee of organisers is preparing to meet for the first time to put firm plans in place for this year.

Organiser Brian Dunsby said:

“The aim is to review the market plans and agree changes needed – depending on the precautions required during November – if any!

“In the meantime we hope to start inviting applications from our established market traders based on the same layout and prices that were agreed for 2020 before it got cancelled.”

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The market has been held at the bottom of Montpellier Hill in Harrogate since it was founded. After growing rapidly, for the last few years it has reached what organisers say is capacity, with around 200 traders and a focus on Yorkshire produce and products.

In previous year, the market has drawn crowds of up to 60,000 people across its four days. As well as their own traders, organisers say one of the key aims of the market is to drive footfall into the town centre to support local businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

This year’s event will be held from Thursday, November 18 to Sunday, November 21.

It is the latest event in the Harrogate calendar to confirm plans to proceed this year. This week, Harrogate International Festivals announced its crime writing festival would open in July, while Birstwith Show is also planning to go ahead.

Virtual Christmas market created to boost Harrogate’s small businesses

A Facebook group has been created as a platform for small local businesses to sell or promote their products after the cancellation of festive events across the Harrogate district this year.

Called the Harrogate Virtual Christmas Market 2020, the group gained 1,000 members in its first 72 hours, and has a growing list of 39 virtual stallholders. They are offering everything from handcrafted Christmas decorations to bespoke art to online photography lessons. 

Tiffany Snowden, who created the group, said: 

“I own a crafts business myself, and normally this time of year my weekends are filled November to December, but of course this hasn’t happened thanks to covid. There are national virtual markets that you had to pay £20 to join and there was lots of spam in them, but I did a quick check and there wasn’t a Harrogate one, so I decided to set one up.

“It is a way of showcasing those one-man bands that don’t have marketing potential, or don’t have enough time as they work full time too, and giving them a platform. It’s also a place to keep the money in the local community, so it’s not going to big shops or other parts of the country.”

Ms Snowden has a filter on the group that automatically allows those that live within forty miles of the Harrogate area to join, and after a consensus from stallholders, decided not to accept representatives or consultants attached to larger companies.

She explained:

“It’s not in the spirit of the market. People are putting their heart and soul into their products, and everything is all either hand-made or locally sourced. At a time when Christmas is so hard, people want handcrafted things and to feel like they’re supporting each other in buying their Christmas gifts.”

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Sellers have also agreed to give each other 10% discount on purchases that they make from each other, aiming to keep as much money as possible within the local community.

The online market will continue until Christmas Eve. If you’re a small business owner and interested in getting involved, visit the Facebook group or contact Tiffany on the platform.