An iconic Christmas Market event near Nottinghamshire may be scrapped after concerns raised last year about the number of people attending it. The City of Lincoln Council says that it is considering the future of its Christmas Market, after it drew in 320,000 people during its 40th year.
The authority's leader says such a number of people in a small area can be "uncomfortable." It was therefore announced on February 10 that the market could be replaced with smaller events and activities throughout the year, with a final decision due to be confirmed on February 20, Lincolnshire Live reports.
But traders near the site of the market say scrapping the iconic event would be "short-sighted." Ash Delaney, a counter assistant at Redhill Farm Shop in the Bail, said: "If they dealt with the volume of people we wouldn't have been in this mess. It's our biggest time of the year and to cancel it without warning is like a kick in the teeth.
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"If they'd spoken to the community they wouldn't have needed to cancel it. It doesn't make sense." Johann Bridges, owner of Lincoln Eco Pantry, said: "I was shocked first of all. It seems very sudden to go 'that's that.'
"Financially it will be a big change, we are all struggling. I think it should have been managed a bit better." Alex Capper, assistant manager at Lincoln Eco Pantry said that the Christmas Market is good because it brings locals to the Bailgate aswell.
She added: "If people live in the community they don't come to see the new shops that have popped up." Barry Hepton, owner of Bailgate Deli said that the market is "quite fun" despite it being hard work so he will miss that part of it but found the proposed changes generally positive.
He said: "It has to be seen as a wonderful opportunity and engage the community in a different way. The council haven't got the money for it. It's not an easy thing for them to carry on doing."
Mr Hepton also said that he has also seen a slight increase in drinking and anti-social behaviour during the Christmas Market period due to the vast number of people it brings into the city.
Councillor Ric Metcalfe, leader at City of Lincoln Council, said: "This is a very exciting time for the council and after 40 years of the Lincoln Christmas Market, we are looking forward to evolving this event into a full calendar of activities throughout the year, which will benefit residents and businesses alike.
"We understand that following the massive success of 2022, so many people in such a small area over a short period of time can be uncomfortable, and we want to ensure the best experience possible for visitors to our wonderful city."
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