Decision on Stratford Christmas market up in the air – despite crush fears and residents’ worries
A DECISION on the format of this year’s Victorian Christmas market in Stratford remains up in the air, though spreading it across two weekends remains the hot favourite.
That approach – highlighted in last week’s Herald – was backed by the district council’s cabinet on Monday but discussions are ongoing with the other partners in the event, the town council and LSD Promotions which runs it.
The market forum which brings together these three met on Tuesday and further meetings are planned before a decision is worked out how to address the concerns raised by last year’s event across the dates that are chosen.
With widespread concerns about safety as more than 200,000 people visited the town, the surge in numbers was in part put down to the hugely popular Lincoln Christmas Market being cancelled, meaning many tour operators saw Stratford as the alternative.
Lincoln decided to change its plans after its 40th anniversary Christmas market drew 320,000 people in 2022 and opted for a string of smaller events during 2023, with an ice sculpture trail as its festive highlight.
Cllr Ric Metcalfe, leader at City of Lincoln Council, said when the decision was announced: “We understand that following the massive success of 2022, so many people in such a small area over a short period of time can be uncomfortable, and we want to ensure the best experience possible for visitors to our wonderful city.”
And at a fiery meeting of its full council last week, Lincoln rejected calls to bring a market back for 2024.
Cllr Gary Hewson from the ruling Labour group reflected on the 2022 crowds and said: “I will never support a scheme coming back, when there is the possibility of something like that happening again.
“For years, it always cost the citizens of Lincoln money. OK, it does generate income, but by far the most of that goes out of the city, and that is why I could not support this motion.”
And Cllr Metcalfe added: “You certainly haven’t said how you would satisfy safety requirements, which are a clear and present danger.”
As Lincoln is again a no-go, Stratford can expect to be in demand once more and the suggested two weekends approach is part of a strategy that could also see a cut in the number of stalls, a restriction of road closures and not having a funfair or stage, to tackle the safety concerns raised after last year.
But what it can’t control is the number of people who turn up.
The proposals put to the cabinet meeting included cancelling the event or leaving the format as it is with a four-day market Thursday to Sunday - but this was described as ‘not advised due to the safety issues’.
The other options were to go for the two weekends option or find another way forward.
At present the council is tied to a contract that was renewed in 2022 under the previous administration and while Stratford could ‘do a Lincoln’ and cancel the event, council leader Cllr Susan Juned (Lib Dem, Alcester East) made clear there would be a cost to both councils.
Cllr George Cowcher (Lib Dem, Wellesbourne South) criticised the contract for being ‘not fit for purpose’ but said they had to now make the best of the situation.
He said: “I think one of the major issues we have to address going forward is the road chaos that was in and around Stratford particularly during the weekdays when people couldn’t get to work, couldn’t get to appointments, couldn’t get to hospital.
“It was totally and utterly unacceptable and so I think moving it purely to weekends does have some merit.”
He also urged there to be a look at whether that meant there could be liaison with key employers to offer extra car parking space and promote park and ride.
With car parks filling up, the meeting heard of horror stories of coaches dropping people off on the gyratory, leaving visitors to run across the road.
There were no major tragedies as a result but the prospect still sparked alarm.
Cllr Sarah Whalley-Hoggins (Cons, Brailes and Compton) who attended the meeting as an observer said: “The reputational damage should anything go wrong is immense for this great town of ours.
“I think we were very lucky last year with regards to the amount of people coming into the town that there wasn’t something that happened.”
Of the other players in the decision, Stratford Town Council’s town clerk Caroline Nash told the Herald yesterday, Wednesday: “Town councillors serving on the Market Forum will be considering the options available for the future running of the Victorian Christmas Market in conjunction with LSD and the district council at a meeting scheduled for the week commencing 18th March.”
A spokesperson for LSD confirmed the discussions were ongoing and they would comment when the picture became clearer.
If the two weekends option is confirmed the market would be set up on the first Friday, taken down on the Sunday night and then built again the following Friday.
A district council spokesperson acknowledged this would be the pattern but added: “Should the market go ahead no road closures will commence until 6pm on the two Friday evenings in order to minimise disruption to the normal working week.”
