A decision has been made to scrap an iconic Christmas Market event near Nottinghamshire after 40 years following concerns over the number of people attending it. Following a meeting of the City of Lincoln Council's executive committee, it was decided that Lincoln Christmas Market had become "way too big", with plans now in place to replace it with a wider events programme throughout the year.
Members of the committee discussed plans to axe the market during a meeting at City Hall in Lincoln on Monday, February 20. The Christmas market's £260,000 budget will now be put towards an events and cultural programme designed to attract visitors to the city throughout the whole year.
A new campaign named 'Christmas in Lincoln' will take place in December and will stretch across the full six weeks of Christmas instead of four days. The activity will be programmed in the city centre and uphill areas of Lincoln with a hope to spread footfall over a wider area, Lincolnshire Live reports.
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City of Lincoln Council leader, Ric Metcalfe, said: "Our current market has gotten way too big. It's pretty clear that most people recognise that fact. This isn't a creature of a social media frenzy or idiosyncrasies of this particular year.
"It is a long term trend we're seeing that drives us to the inevitable conclusion that we need to make fundamental changes. If it goes on growing at its current rate, it certainly will become unsafe. And public safety has to be, as a public authority, our number one consideration.
"Lincoln is a highly successful tourist and visitor attraction. We've got some fantastic assets. We have a terrific base upon which to build something new and I hope everyone will join us to make sure we get the same benefits, but in a fundamentally different way to the current market."
Councillor Chris Burke said: "Our paramount responsibility is to ensure visitors are safe. We're not saying goodbye to Christmas, we're going to enhance the Christmas spirit in our city. It will give us all an opportunity to celebrate Christmas in Lincoln together."
He added: "I think we're moving away from a situation we've been advised against to a positive experience that will enhance our special city."
The decision is subject to a Policy Scrutiny Committee to review the new programme, once officers have further developed proposals. The public, traders and key stakeholders will be consulted about the new plans.
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