Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To provide members with a review of the Christmas Market in 2022, reflecting on:

·       The visitor experience,

·       The financial cost,

·       Predictions over increasing attendance numbers and the consequential health and safety concerns.

The Chair expressed thanks to Officers and emphasised that proposals had not been taken impulsively or without extensive consideration. Recognition was given to the affection that was held for the market as a much loved institution, however public safety was the most important consideration moving forward.

The Chair confirmed that detailed and extensive discussions had taken place with the multi-agency Safety Advisory Group and the advice received was that no revisions to the market event plan would safely deal with any increase in visitor numbers beyond those experienced in 2022. It was noted that if the market continued to grow at the current rate, the event would become unsafe. In addition, the visitor experience would be adversely affected and as such, there was a compelling case for changes to be made moving forward. Consideration was given to the wider context, it was agreed that Lincoln was a highly successful visitor and tourist attraction which provided a great base from which to consider a new “Christmas in Lincoln” offer and wider events programme.

Further to discussions between Executive members and Officers, the following points were noted:

·       Public safety was the principal consideration moving forward. The market had won awards for safety, but the event would become unsafe in 2023.

·       When considering the financial implications, contracts for services had break clauses built in and as such, contractors could claim only for costs incurred at the point of cancellation. There was a compelling case for cancelling early to prevent contractors incurring large costs for the 2023 market.

·       Contracts awarded for providing services across all events would mean that many contractors would be retained for other events and in turn, costs would be mitigated.

·       The cost of cancellation was anticipated to be significantly less than the £260K net cost of operating the market.

·       Although the market generated £13m, only £2m stayed within the local economy.

·       Proposals included the use of the full budget allocation of £260K per annum into a new events programme – the largest investment in cultural activity in the Council’s recent history.

·       Consideration of a new events programme for the future would include work with local businesses from all sectors to ensure it had the desired impact and covered a range of events for both local residents and visitors from further afield.

·       It was anticipated that other partners would step into this space and therefore increase and enhance provision which would create a much bigger ‘critical mass’ of activity – especially around the Christmas period.

·       The economic benefit from 320,000 visitors could be distributed over a range of events across the full year and therefore, visitors may spend more if they had time to dwell and meander around the City centre and uphill areas to absorb the atmosphere which the history and heritage of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81