Changes for Christmas market to ease overcrowding

Make It York says there will be fewer huts and more space at the festive attraction this year

A city centre Christmas market criticised for overcrowding and a lack of accessibility is to undergo changes this year, officials confirmed.

The festive attraction in York is due to return to Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square between 13 November and 21 December.

Organisers Make It York said plans for the event included fewer huts and moving food stalls to widen walkways and help pedestrian traffic flow better.

A report to City of York Council said the changes aimed to make the event "safer and more accessible".

The event features chalets selling local craft and artisan products along with food and drink.

Changes made by Make It York, the city's tourism and events body, follow concerns raised about overcrowding during last year's market.

Almost a third of visitors surveyed said the market had been too crowded, and more than a fifth said it should be more spread out.

A report said that, among those surveyed, overcrowding was the biggest issue for improvement

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, other changes this year include relocating the market's Treehouse from St Sampson's Square and removing the traditional carousel in King's Square to minimise crowd build-ups and bottlenecks.

Make It York also said seven huts would be removed, including three from St Sampson's Square, to create more space for walkways, events dressing and signposting.

Meanwhile, a report said room would be made around the Christmas tree, while flower stalls and food traders would be spaced out to address queuing issues seen last year.

A block of chalets at the bottom of Parliament Street are also set to be moved, to increase the walkway width by 29ft (9m), the report said.

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