Agenda item

Councillor Clare Smalley, Leader of the Opposition, moved the following motion:

“Council notes:

·       “In February 2023 the Executive of the City Council decided to cancel the Lincoln Christmas Market from 2023 onwards.

·       “Despite a successful Christmas Market in 2022 that attracted over 320,000 people to our city.

·       “That the replacement events programme has not attracted the same number of people or the same publicity to our city.

“Council believes:

·       “That the decision to cancel the market was done in haste and without proper consultation of stallholders, local businesses, residents and visitors to see what changes could have been made to the market without a cancellation.

·       “A Christmas Market in Lincoln is a vital part of the local economy and provides income to hotels, restaurants and shops of all kinds in the city.

·       “The previous incarnation of the Christmas Market was not perfect and had issues around overcrowding and safety. However, events of a much bigger magnitude are run across the country and there are lessons to be learnt on how to run such an event in a safe and secure manner.

“Council resolves:

·       “That the Executive should consult stallholders, local businesses, residents and visitors on what they would like to see in a future Lincoln Christmas Market.

·       “That the Leader of the Council bring an item to the Executive agenda in the next 6 months to vote on “Bringing back a safe and sustainable Lincoln Christmas Market”.”

The above motion was seconded by Councillor James Brown, who reserved his right to speak. 

During discussion on the motion, the following points were noted:

·       It was commented that the vast majority of residents of Lincoln had moved on from the Christmas Market, and that retailers had expressed happiness with the new programme of year-round events.  Furthermore, it was advised that the market had changed and had grown too big.  Social media comments from the last Christmas Market were evidence that the perception of the market had soured. It was also commented that by increasing the market’s size or length to address safety concerns would come at a considerable cost to the ratepayer nor was it guaranteed to make it safe. It was also noted that Christmas markets were now liable for VAT and business rates charges, which would significantly increase costs to holding a Christmas Market and this was the reason for other markets being cancelled across the country.  However, should a private events company wish to explore options, this would be supported by the Council by way of advice, but not financially.  It was reiterated that safety would need to be paramount. It was for these reasons the councillor urged the Council to vote against the motion.

·       It was suggested that the market could be condensed into a smaller area over a longer period of time and that not all options had been explored by the Executive prior to cancelling the market.  It was reiterated that there was a lack of consultation, which was unfair on residents, stallholders and local businesses. 

·       A councillor commented that the year-round programme of events had been successful and it brought visitors to Lincoln throughout the year. Particular reference was made to Lincoln Live, the Ice Trail, the Festival of History, Monsters Invasion, Lincoln Pride and the Steam Punk event, all of which were either hosted or supported by the Council. Some of these events would not have been possible without the reallocation of funds from the Christmas Market to the year round programme of events.

·       A councillor reiterated that the motion urged the Council to consult with residents, businesses and stallholders to find a suitable solution to enable the market to return. 

·       It was commented that there was evidence to suggest that there was a growing number of people who were becoming tired of Christmas markets and therefore it was relevant for the Council to diversify its range of events across the year.

·       The significant disruption to residents in the Minster Ward, where the market was largely located, was acknowledged, particularly that those residents could not use their vehicles during period of the market nor leave their homes.

·       Concerns regarding the safety of visitors was discussed, particularly highlighting that it was the responsibility of the Council to ensure any events it put in place were held in a safe manner.  It was therefore reiterated that the correct decision had been made at the time by the Executive.

Councillor James Brown, who had reserved his right to speak, reiterated that the motion sought commitment to consult local businesses, stallholders, residents and visitors on what they would like to see in a future Lincoln Christmas Market.  It was reiterated that whilst the Council may not have made any money from the market, it had generated the local economy millions of pounds through hotel bookings, restaurants and sales in shops and also aided stallholders.  However, those stallholders now had an income shortfall.  It was stated that the same level of visitors was not being drawn in by the year-round events programme and therefore the city had overall lost out by the cancellation of the market.  It was suggested that the Executive had not looked at viable options to ensure the market could continue, for example implementing a ticket system to gain entry to the market, holding it over a longer period of time or hosting it over a larger area.  Leeds Christmas Market was cited as an example of a returning market being held in a safe and sustainable way.

Councillor Clare Smalley, who had moved the motion, was invited to give her right of reply.  Councillor Smalley reiterated that the motion was asking for consultation to find a safe and sustainable way for the Lincoln Christmas Market to return.  It was felt to be a shame to lose the market which had been held over forty years and was a well-loved annual event enjoyed by visitors and residents and therefore the motion tried to encourage its return. Council was urged to support the motion.

Having been moved and seconded and being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that the motion be declared lost.