Motion to bring back Lincoln Christmas Market rejected

Lincoln's Christmas market was cancelled due to costs and overcrowding concerns

A motion to reverse the decision to cancel one of the UK's longest-running Christmas markets has been rejected.

Lincoln Christmas Market, which was first held in 1982, was axed earlier this year due to concerns about overcrowding.

City of Lincoln Council has replaced the event with a series of smaller offerings throughout the year.

However, critics said the new events lacked the charm and economic draw of the traditional market.

Lincoln Christmas Market attracted record crowds in 2022, with more than 300,000 people visiting over four days - a rise on its ideal 250,000 limit.

Announcing plans to call time on the market, the council said having "so many people in a small area can be uncomfortable" and cutting the event would allow the £260,000 budget to be spread throughout the year.

An ice trail is among a number of events that have replaced the Christmas market

A motion put forward by opposition councillors calling for the market's return was debated at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday.

"The city council's alternative events programme does not and will never replace the Christmas Market," the motion put forward by Conservative group leader Tom Dyer said.

There continued to be "a significant public outcry" for the market's return, he added.

Speaking to BBC Look North ahead of the meeting, Mr Dyer said: "Everyone is starting to think about Christmas and Lincoln isn't the same without the Christmas market."

He said the motion was about asking the council to "look at it again" and see what measures could be taken to put on "a safe and workable" event.

The decision to axe the market was also criticised by Lincoln's Conservative MP Karl McCartney, who said it was "wrong at every level".

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he criticised Labour members and the authority's "Ebenezer Scrooge" leader for rejecting the motion without looking at "alternative formats" for the market.

In response, Ric Metcalfe, leader of the Labour-run authority, said: "We understand some people's disappointment that Lincoln Christmas Market is no more.

"However, we simply could not continue delivering an event that has been deemed a significant risk to public safety," he said.

Mr Metcalfe said Lincoln remained "a stunning place" to visit over the festive period with a number of Christmas-themed events taking place.