Operator pulled out of Christmas market – council

The new Market Square in Northampton will host a range of festive activities instead of a Christmas market, the council said

A council said it attempted to book another Christmas market for its £12m revamped square after the original operator was "unable to proceed".

West Northamptonshire Council originally announced there would be no festive market because it would require "extensive planning".

The authority has since revealed it had booked a market in the summer but the operator "pulled out" in October, as first reported by the Northampton Chronicle and Echo.

Daniel Lister, cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure, said the council had tried to book another one but none were up to standard.

"Some of the offerings weren't great, as you would expect. It's quite late notice at that point," he said.

"Whilst we worked hard to secure a Christmas market for this year, unforeseen circumstances on the operator's side meant they were unable to proceed."

Instead, the authority has announced "Christmas on the Market Square" – a range of festive activities that will take place across three weekends in December.

'Supporting traders'

Mr Lister said the activities would create footfall and support the market traders.

"We've got an elf takeover and a 'grinchy' surprise on 7 December," he said.

"We are going to have a snow globe where people can go in and take pictures; we're going to have an outdoor cinema that people can go enjoy films for free.

"And then on 21 December, we've got carols and Christmas music, so there's lots going on across those three weekends."

Mr Lister said planning for next year's Christmas market would start in January.