Double the trouble fears for Christmas market in Stratford
PLANS to prevent congestion and overcrowding at this year’s Victorian Christmas market in Stratford could see the event spread across two weekends.
Parts of the town came to a halt during last year’s event when more than 200,000 people were estimated to have visited Stratford over the four days in December.
Complaints about overcrowding were made as some parts of the town centre, which was closed to traffic, were reported to be 12 people deep.
Drivers were angered by traffic queues and huge delays to get into and out of car parks, and residents were left unable to get across town to work and appointments.
There was a demand for change among many in Stratford, which has resulted in proposals to scrap the four-day event and switch to two weekends to avoid impacting on workdays.
The proposals, due to be discussed at Stratford District Council’s cabinet on Monday (4th March), also include cutting the number of stalls, restricting road closures and not having a funfair or stage.
The hope is to spread the visitor numbers over the two weekends while keeping the successful market – which is thought to be the largest of its kind in the country – going as it gives the local economy, and many businesses in the hospitality sector, a boost.
Stratford District Council and Stratford Town Council, which are behind the event, also have a contract with LSD Promotions, which runs the market.
However, there is criticism that the congestion will instead impact two weekends and questions have been raised about the need to have it in the town centre rather than re-locate it to the Bancroft Gardens or the Recreation Ground.
Victoria Pringle, a manager and health care professional with Welcombe Care, Stratford, said her staff were upset by the impact last year’s four-day event had on their work schedules as some were unable to get to the people who needed their care. She described the proposed move to two weekends as “unbelievable”.
“I cannot believe how tone deaf the people behind the decision-making are,” she said. “I’m just staggered. The proposed plan is already causing stress as surely this will make things as bad, but probably, worse due to two weekends being affected.
“We already rely upon the goodwill of staff to support the service over the weekends due to the chronic national shortage of health and social care staff and I have already heard staff saying ‘count me out those weekends’.
“It’s totally unnecessary and impractical to have this in town. It is unfair on those residents of Stratford who are totally dependent upon care staff to meet their needs. It is potentially putting people at risk due to extended periods in bed and time-sensitive medication.
“Last year, these were all severely impacted due to traffic delays.”
When the Victorian market first arrived in 2017 it was hailed a big success but in 2019 concern was raised about the traffic congestion the town endured.
The event’s popularity has continued to grow. It’s estimated more than 200,000 people visited the market’s 320 stalls in 2023, making it the country’s biggest Christmas market. Almost 19,000 cars used the town car parks during the four days – that’s about 9,000 more than a normal, four-day period in the run-up to Christmas.
The SDC report due to be considered by cabinet next week acknowledges there have been problems. It states that, following the 2023 event, a number of issues were raised, including:
Overcrowding, especially on the Saturday – the crowds were at least 12 people deep for the whole length of the market
Excessive noise from the funfair
Traffic movement congestion with potential issues for access for emergency vehicles
Electronic car parking signs not working in real time
Insufficient public toilet provision with very long queues
The market was impassable for disabled people and those with mobility issues
The report notes that cancelling future events would be costly because of its contract with market operators, LSD. Instead, both the district and town council are suggesting changes, which LSD is reported to have agreed to.
As well as splitting the event over two weekends, the proposals would also see:
A reduction in the number of stalls
A new layout for the market with more spacing where practicable
No funfair or stage
No stalls in Wood Street and Union Street, which would remain open
A revised traffic management plan, with potential for more Park & Ride provision and the use of additional car park venues, such as Stratford Racecourse
Road closures would be limited to potentially Bridge Street and Waterside
The report adds: “Whilst there is no guarantee that this will reduce the number of visitors, it is felt that limiting the number of stalls, revising the layout, and having two Saturdays will mitigate some of the concerns raised.
“Additional benefits of this would be no disruption to residents or traffic flows during the week.”
Better events transport plan, rather than an alphabet lottery, is the key. Colin Stewart, chair of Stratford Town Transport Group, told the Herald: “Stratford needs a strong event transport plan for things like the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations, the festivals and the Christmas market.
“The Victorian Christmas market is a success but it is a problem if you look at the transport issues. This happened at Silverstone during Formula 1 until Park & Ride was used to ease congestion.
“The event plan for Stratford should incorporate the Park & Ride and additional car parking and it should be well signposted and well publicised for cars and coaches.”
Greg Rojewski, owner and driver of Gregski Taxi in Stratford, added: “The market should be held on Waterside or Rother Street because when they close Bridge Street, Sheep Street, High Street and Wood Street we lose our parking places and people don’t know where to go to get a taxi and it’s the same for buses.
“There should be more signs, because visitors to the town won’t know where the taxis are. There’s always a lot of traffic in town and the Christmas market is just adding to it.”
Any changes agreed by SDC would need to be agreed by Stratford Town Council.
