Harrogate Christmas Fayre will be “bigger and better” than last year’s, organisers said today.
Destination Harrogate, which is part of Harrogate Borough Council, today revealed further details of the fayre, which will run from December 2 to 11.
Last year’s activities marked a major departure from the town’s previous seasonal offering, with the longstanding, locally-run Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill replaced by a town centre offering by the council in conjunction with Market Place Europe, a company that specialises in organising markets.
This year’s festivities will include:
- An outdoor ice skating rink, with an après ski bar offering seasonal treats and refreshments and a giant 32m Ferris wheel offering spectacular views of the surrounding area.
- A carousel, plus other children’s fairground rides, in Crescent Gardens, provided by Events By Cynosure and supported by Harrogate Borough Council’s parks and environmental services team.
- Town centre stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations and food.
- The return of the Candy Cane Express, a road train transporting people around Harrogate town centre while the market is on. The train is co-funded by Harrogate BID.
- An artisan market run by Little Bird Made in Valley Gardens on the first two weekends in December.
The Candy Cane Express will return.
John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, said:
“We’re building on the success of last year and through working in collaboration with our partners, including Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate BID, we can look forward to delivering something really special this Christmas.”
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Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“Once again, Christmas will be coming to Harrogate town centre and I for one can’t wait. Last year’s offer was a great success but I know this year’s will be even bigger and better.”
Cllr Cooper added the ice skating rink “not only offers an exciting opportunity for people of all ages to socialise but also encourages physical activity, in a magical environment”.
Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said:
“Harrogate is a beautiful and unique destination and the perfect place to enjoy our fantastic Christmas market. We’re really excited to be returning this year with an even bigger Harrogate Christmas Fayre.”
Business Breakfast: Harrogate’s Christmas plans revealed this week
Harrogate Business Improvement District will be joined by representatives from Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate to share plans for Christmas 2022 to businesses.
Last Christmas saw a change to previous years with the creation of the first Harrogate Christmas Fayre, in the town centre from December 3 to 12. Festivities included a free road train called the Candy Cane Express, a carousel, helter skelter and ferris wheel.
It followed Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to deny a licence to the former market organised by the Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill.
The meeting this Thursday is at the Yorkshire Hotel’s Sky Bar at 5.30pm.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:
“At Thursday’s BID Club, we will be informing businesses what will be happening within the town centre this festive season.
“We will be joined by Destination Harrogate and Market Place Europe, who will update us on this year’s Christmas Fayre, including location and number of stalls.
“This meeting is open to all businesses within the BID area, and will be an opportunity for them to ask questions, and to find out how that can get involved with making Christmas 2022 a festive season to remember.”
To reserve a space email info@harrogatebid.co.uk..
M&S temporarily closes cafe at Harrogate Oatlands
How the food hall will look.
Marks and Spencer has temporarily closed its cafe at its Oatlands food hall in Harrogate.
The company planned to close the cafe for good as part of an expansion of its Leeds Road site, but decided to retain it after a customer petition.
But a smaller, new-look cafe will open when the expanded site is launched.
The rest of the food hall will continue to trade throughout with some areas blocked off while the work is underway.
Store manager David Anderson said:
“We’re delighted to confirm that as part of the upcoming extension and refresh of our Harrogate Oatlands store, customers will be able enjoy a new-look M&S cafe alongside a fresh-market style food hall, offering a bigger range of M&S food products than ever before.
“We expect to complete the works later this year and will keep the local community updated as they progress. We would also like to thank local residents around us for their ongoing support as we work to improve the store.”
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Image Gallery: Harrogate feeling festive with first Christmas fayre
Harrogate Christmas Fayre began today with residents and visitors alike heading to the town centre to enjoy the festivities.
Market Place Europe is running the event in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District from today until December 12.
Andy Pidgen, operations manager at Market Place Europe, told the Stray Ferret:
“Everyone has been very helpful, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, all the businesses Harrogate BID all need a public thank you.
“From what I understand the Harrogate Christmas Market was very successful. We do four big Christmas markets. I think the wooden chalets give a festive feel, we dress everything up.
“It’s a toe in the water but from what I understand people are pretty pleased so far but we are just at the start of the 10 days.
“Hopefully if the Harrogate Christmas Fayre is successful we can come back next year with some extra additions as well.
“This latest variant is of concern but coronavirus was still there before that. We are all outside but we do have to be mindful of that.”
Can you spot yourself in our gallery?
Lots of visitors to Cambridge Street today.
Panto stars Cinderella and Prince Charming (bottom left), the mayor Trevor Chapman (back, left) with the mayoress, council leader Richard Cooper (back, middle), Matthew Chapman and Sara Ferguson (back, right) from Harrogate BID. Christmas elves flank on either side.
The Candy Cane Express road train.
Operations manager from Marketplace Europe, Andy Pidgen.
Jason Walker, of Gourmet Jay, selling sausage rolls and pasties.
Quite an array of cheeses to nibble on.
A hog roast.
Covid measures are in place.
A variety of cuisines.
Anna Lister (left), founder of Lily and Lister.
L&N Candles founders Laura Berryman and Natalie White.
Elves welcome visitors to the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.
Plenty of food to enjoy, including Lincolnshire sausages.
Traders and visitors have welcomed the first ever Harrogate Christmas Fayre, as the 10-day event gets underway in the town centre today.
The hot chocolate is flowing, Christmas gifts are flying off the shelves and people are enjoying the rides ahead of a big weekend for the town.
The fayre marks a big change for Harrogate’s festive offering, which used to centre on Montpellier Hill.
This event has organisers in the form of Market Place Europe, which is operating in partnership with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District, as well as a new town centre location for stallholders — so what do people make of it?
L&N Candles founders Laura Berryman and Natalie White.
Laura Berryman and Natalie White, from Bilton-based L&N Candles at a stall on Cambridge Street, told the Stray Ferret:
“We were planning to attend the old Harrogate Christmas Market but when that was cancelled, we thought we would seize the opportunity and get involved here.
“So far we have been really busy, so we are really pleased and excited for the next 10 days.”
The founder of Mama Doreen’s is enjoying the experience.
Jessica Wyatt, founder of Mama Doreen’s Emporium at a stall on Station Square, added:
“It is just great to get involved in Harrogate Christmas Fayre, see a lot of my regular customers and spreading the word.
“I haven’t been here long but I am loving it, it’s great. This is how I started Mama Doreen’s with a market stall so it really takes me back.”
Fancy a coffee?
Anna Lister, the founder of Lily and Lister, is selling coffee and treats on Cambridge Street. She said:
“We converted a horsebox and sell our own blend of coffee. We also do luxury hot chocolates and brownies.
“So far lots of people have said this version of the Christmas market in the town centre is much better.”
Not only are the stallholders enjoying the new Harrogate Christmas Fayre, the visitors also seem to welcome the changes.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre starts today: here’s the lowdown
- Christmas Events: diary of festivities in the Harrogate district
- New covid guidance as Ripon prepares for another big weekend
Helen Nash, a Harrogate resident who went straight out to take in the atmosphere, told the Stray Ferret:
“I think it’s a really good idea to have it in the town centre. It’s all on a level, it’s not muddy and there seems to be a good selection of stalls including some locals.
“So I hope people can come out and support it. This is really good for the town, the weather has been kind so far too.”
Nick Jackson, from Skipton, visited the Harrogate Christmas Fayre. He said:
Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre starts today: here’s the lowdown“We always went to the Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill, so it’s nice to see a bit of a change.
“It’s a great experience, especially coming into the town centre with all of the festivities in place.”
Harrogate Christmas Fayre begins today. With plenty of stallholders to buy gifts from, attractions to enjoy and festivities to embrace, it looks like being a memorable few days.
Market Place Europe is running the event in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council from today until December 12.
It is a new venture so there are lots to look out for. The event will be spread out over more locations and days than the previous Harrogate Christmas Market, which took place on Montpellier Hill.
Here is everything you need to know:
Where will the stalls be?
There will be about 50 local and European stallholders on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.
For this weekend only there will also be stalls in Valley Gardens, where more than 60 local traders will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts plus food and drink at a separate artisan Christmas market.
When will the fayre be open?
It will be open between 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.
Little Bird Made’s Artisan Festive Market in Valley Gardens will be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5.
Do you have to wear a face mask?
Harrogate Borough Council has advised visitors to wear face masks around the fayre and on the free Candy Cane Express road train, which will shuttle people around town.
A map of the Christmas road train.
The government brought in new rules this week stipulating people must wear face coverings in shops, shopping centres, transport hubs and on public transport.
Children under 11 and those with a health condition or disability which means they cannot wear a face covering are exempt.
What will the weather be like?
According to the Met Office, outbreaks of rains and drizzle will clear in the morning to leave a largely dry day. It will be cloudy at first with some brighter spells in the afternoon.
Temperatures are set to increase tomorrow but it is not set to stay mild for long.
From then we are set for a chilly weekend with some sunny spells and showers. It will be occasionally windy with some rain and snow possible on Monday morning.
Will there be rides and transport?
A free road train will take visitors around Harrogate from today as part of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.
The Candy Cane Express will stop at James Street, St Mary’s Walk and Crescent Road. It will also pass Montpellier Hill, Cheltenham Parade, Station Parade and Victoria Avenue.
Not only that but there are also festive rides, including a carousel and ferris wheels at Crescent Garden and a helter skelter at the war memorial. All of those rides cost £3 for a ticket.
The Helter Skelter next to the war memorial in Harrogate town centre.
Free parking at Harrogate multi-storey
Parking will be free after 3pm in Harrogate’s Victoria multi-storey car park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The initiative will last until December 23 and will be paid for by Harrogate Business Improvement District to encourage Christmas shoppers and revellers into the town midweek.
Revealed: route for Harrogate’s free Christmas road trainA free road train will take visitors around Harrogate from Friday, just in time for the two town centre Christmas markets.
The Candy Cane Express will stop at James Street, St Mary’s Walk and Crescent Road. It will also pass Montpellier Hill, Cheltenham Parade, Station Parade and Victoria Avenue.
Face masks are advised on the road train, which will operate from December 3 to 12. Face masks are also advised around both markets.
The train route will take in the sights of the Christmas lights, Christmas shop window displays, Christmas rides and Santa’s postbox.
Read more:
- Harrogate district churches urge people to light up their windows for Christmas
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It’s all part of the council’s drive to get people into the town centre to support the new fayre and the artisan market in Valley Gardens, which will also stimulate high street businesses.
Excitement has been building since the Christmas rides started in the town centre last month. This week stalls for the Christmas fayre appeared in the town centre.
A map of the Christmas road train.
When are the town centre Christmas markets?
Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which the council is running in partnership with Market Place Europe, will be open between 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.
The market will take place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent and will provide gifts and mouth-watering treats for people to enjoy as they wander around, taking in the sights and sounds.
Around 50 traders will take part in the fayre.
In addition, Little Bird Made is set to hold a festive artisan market in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens this Saturday and Sunday, with times to be confirmed.
The artisan market will feature approximately 60 local and regional traders and producers who will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as food and drink.
First Harrogate Christmas Fayre set to showcase local charitiesThe new Harrogate Christmas Fayre is set to showcase local charities when the festive market comes to town next month.
Organisers Market Place Europe have set aside a stall for 10 charities, which they can use to raise awareness and fundraise.
Across the 10 days, Samaritans of Harrogate and District, Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation, Bilton and Woodfield Community Library, Dementia Forward, Harrogate Skills 4 Living Centre, Harrogate Easier Living Project, Citizens Advice Craven and Harrogate Districts, Harrogate International Festivals, Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity and Horticap will also use the stall.
A press release today by Harrogate Borough Council, which is organising the event in partnership with Market Place Europe, said the charities ‘were identified through the council’s Local Lotto initiative’, which conducts weekly prize draws that generate money for local charities.
Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said:
“Almost 50 coach companies are set to arrive across the 10 days, along with the thousands of Harrogate district residents and regional visitors, so it is anticipated that traders, local businesses and charities are going to benefit from the additional footfall the fayre will bring.”
The organisers hope the stall will help fill the void left by the original Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill, which over the last five events contributed more than £90,000 to local charities.
Read more:
- Your guide to Harrogate’s three Christmas markets
- Ferris wheel, carousel and road train part of huge Harrogate Christmas offering
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Gemma Rio, Harrogate Borough Council’s head of destination management, said:
“There is a lot of excitement building for the market, and we are anticipating thousands of people visiting Harrogate this festive period, so I’d like to thank Market Place Europe for donating a stall that will no doubt raise the profile of local charities and The Local Lotto.”
Location and dates for new Harrogate Christmas Fayre
The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will feature around 50 stallholders on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.. They will be spaced out wider than usual to encourage social distancing.
- When – December 3 to December 12, Monday to Wednesday – 10am to 7pm, Thursday to Saturday – 10am to 9pm, and Sundays — 10am to 5pm
- Where – Across the town centre with stalls on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent
- What – 50 traders with a mixture of local and European stallholders
- Who – Market Place Europe is working with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate BID
Harrogate Borough Council confirmed today that an artisan market will go ahead in Valley Gardens as part of the town’s festive offering.
The market, which will be held on December 4 and 5 between 10am and 3pm, will be one of two Christmas markets in Harrogate.
The council said it had approved an event management plan submitted by market organisers Little Bird Made.
It had previously failed to approve an event management plan for the traditional Christmas market on Montpellier submitted by Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, meaning it will not take place.
Sixty local and regional traders and producers will sell festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware and jewellery, as well as food and drink, at the Valley Gardens event.
Read more:
- Harrogate to get second Christmas market
- Ferris wheel, carousel and road train part of huge Harrogate Christmas offering
Kirsty Stewart, parks and grounds maintenance manager at the council, said:
“The market will showcase some fantastic home-grown traders and producers and what better setting than Valley Gardens.”
Jackie Crozier, owner of Little Bird Made, said she was delighted by the news and urged anyone interested in having a stall to get in touch. She added:
“Our markets showcase some of Yorkshire’s finest small businesses and are a great opportunity to bring some festive cheer and buy that special gift for the holidays.”
The market will accompany a separate council-approved event called Harrogate Christmas Market, which will take place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent in Harrogate town centre between December 3 and 12. This event will be run by Market Place Europe.
A ferris wheel, Victorian carousel, helter skelter and road train will also be part the council’s Harrogate’s festive package.
The festivities will last from November 15 to the first week of January.
Manchester firm set to take on Harrogate Christmas MarketA Manchester events firm is set to take on Harrogate Christmas Market this year after a row over health and safety concerns.
Harrogate Borough Council has now entered into formal talks with Market Place Europe, which is based in Ashton-Under-Lyne.
The council said that the company is planning to hold a 10-day event from December 3 to December 12 rather than the usual four-day market.
At this stage it is unclear where the new Harrogate Christmas market will take place but it will be in the town centre.
It is also unclear if the 170 traders and 53 coaches booked in with the former organisers will move over to the new Christmas market.
Market Place Europe is behind the Christmas markets in Glasgow and Belfast. The company also organises a number of food markets across the UK.
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Gemma Rio, head of destination management at Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“I am pleased to see that Market Place Europe has submitted an expression of interest to hold a Christmas market in Harrogate town centre this December.
“To have interest from an organisation with vast experience of operating successful markets across the UK is a great opportunity for the district.
“We look forward to working with them, and our local partners, to ensure this event is delivered safely and drives visitors into the town.”
Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“From what I’ve seen, Market Place Europe have years of experience hosting events. So I know they’ll bring an abundance of knowledge to Harrogate this Christmas.
“You’ve only got to look at the photos online from markets they’ve hosted in major cities such as Belfast and Glasgow to see what they’ll bring is a first-class offering.”
This news comes just over two weeks after Harrogate Borough Council refused a licence for Harrogate Christmas Market run by Brian Dunsby OBE on Montpellier Hill.
Representatives from the founding organisers at Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd met with two council officers on Tuesday.
It was the first time the two groups met but after 90 minutes of talks the council issued a statement saying alternative locations “have been refused” by the current organisers.
The council also said it would “move forward to ensure Harrogate hosts safe, vibrant and attractive Christmas festivities this year”.