Mixed views on future of Lincoln's Christmas Market

Lincoln Christmas Market was cancelled due to public safety fears

The future of Lincoln Christmas Market will be debated at a council meeting on Tuesday, almost two years since it was last held.

The annual event, which was first held in 1982, was scrapped by the Labour-led City of Lincoln Council due to concerns about overcrowding.

The council said that instead of a one-off market, it was focusing on a series of events throughout the year.

So what do shopkeepers think of the changes, and would they like to see the Christmas Market return?

Josie Rossington said the market had lost its way

Josie Rossington, owner of Follie gift shop in Lincoln's historic Bailgate, said: "The Christmas Market has had its time, but I think it's really nice that other parts... of Lincoln are being used for events.

"We've got so much going on here. It's not just about Christmas. It is about the whole year."

She said recent events such as the Festival of History showed that the city had much more to offer.

Ms Rossington said the market had "lost its way" – and if it were to return, it would need to change.

"Uphill Lincoln with all its narrow medieval streets is not conducive to 250,000 people coming over a weekend," she added.

Shelley Williams said it needed to be more about Christmas

Shelley Williams, who works at the Whisky Shop in Bailgate, said she would like to see the market return in some form, but not on the same scale as before.

She said independent businesses had benefitted due to the market's success over the years.

However, she added: "We don't need a fairground – just Christmas Market stalls that people want to visit.

"Make it more about Christmas."

Scott Eversfield said the market had become too big

Scott Eversfield, owner of Grayz Tea Room, told the BBC the market needed to be more traditional, in keeping with its surroundings in Lincoln's historic quarter.

"The big modern stuff distracts from [this]," he said.

He concurred with the council view that it had become "so busy" it was a safety issue.

Mr Eversfield suggested spreading the event out across other parts of the city.

"If we can return it to what it used to be I would welcome it back," he added.

Ashley Delaney said the council should have consulted with local businesses

Ashley Delaney, from Redhill Farm Butchers, said it was "short-sighted" of the council to have taken the decision without any consultation.

"We massively miss it – it was one of the busiest times of the year," he said.

"It set us up for the quiet months at the start of the year."

However, referring to the 2022 event, he added: "It was silly to have that many people in the castle. It's not designed for that – it makes more sense to have stalls throughout the city."

Stallholder Dieter Krapp said he would like to see the market return, but with a more traditional feel

Stallholder Dieter Krapp supported the move to bring the market back.

But he said the event needed to return to being a traditional German-style market, not one with stalls selling goods that had nothing to do with Christmas.

"If you can bring it back to that, it will be brilliant," he said.

'Positive impact'

Lincoln Christmas Market attracted record crowds in 2022, with more than 300,000 people visiting over four days – many more than the ideal 250,000 limit.

Despite its success, organisers issued an apology after there were complaints about overcrowding, with the council later calling time on the market in favour of smaller events spread out during the year.

Joshua Wells, the council's portfolio holder for inclusive economic growth, said the new approach had already had a positive impact.

"These events support the city's businesses across the year, instead of just attracting visitors into Lincoln over one long weekend," he said.

“Our events not only showcase Lincoln's many attributes but also provide visitors with more opportunities to experience all that the city has to offer at different times of the year."

The possible return of the market will be discussed at a full council meeting later.

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