UPDATE: Harrogate Christmas Markets will NOT be on the Stray this year
But the event organisers could choose the hold the event at a different location
Last updated 30th Jul 2021
Today (30 July 2021), Harrogate Borough Council have issued another statement after they announced yesterday the Christmas markets would not be held on the Stray this winter.
Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said: "We knew that the statement yesterday was going to spark a lot of questions, as Christmas is such an emotive subject.
“And I realise some people are disappointed with the decision not to grant a licence at this location.
"Although ultimately the decision belongs to the council, all the evidence which is put together to enable us to make that decision comes from partners and stakeholders like North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, etc.
"If the feedback from them is that they have concerns about safety then we have little choice but to decline a licence. If we allowed the event organisers to ignore those concerns, licenced them to press ahead and, God forbid, there was an incident of some kind I know exactly what would happen.
“Understandably, the cry would go up: "Why didn't you listen to what the police said? Why did you ignore the overcrowding? Why did you think you knew best?"
"The lesson here is to organise early, address safety concerns as they are raised, understand that simply because you have booked stalls and coaches doesn't mean that you will automatically be allowed a licence if you don't get clearance from the necessary authorities and not to think that trying to galvanise public opinion to put pressure on the council will change the decision. It won't.
“The decision is made to protect people's lives on the basis of what the emergency services tell us.
"A number of people of asked; “why haven’t we worked with the event organiser to allow it to continue?” I can assure you, we have. We have had ongoing conversations to encourage them to address the concerns over a number of years, and we recognise that progress has been made.
"However, significant concerns remain and as the event organiser isn’t willing to address these, then we simply cannot grant a licence for this location.
“For several years, including this year, we have suggested other locations to the event organiser but these have been refused. If they wish to continue these discussions then I advise they get in touch.
"But the safety of residents, traders and visitors must come first."
Harrogate Borough Council confirmed the news yesterday evening (Thursday 29 July) stating it wouldn't be safe to hold the event at Montpellier Hill due to the risk of overcrowding, evacuation procedures, counter terrorism measures and the risk of Covid-19.
It does not mean the Christmas markets are officially cancelled as the event organisers could choose to house the markets at a different location.
In a statement last night, the council said: "After careful consideration, Harrogate Christmas Market will not be taking place on the Stray at Montpellier Hill this year.
"The event management plan (that we require for any event of this scale) did not fully take into account the risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter-terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of Covid-19.
"Feedback from North Yorkshire Police, Public Health and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has also been taken into consideration to reach this decision.
"As we have responsibility for the Stray, we need to be confident that any event will be managed effectively and not put an additional strain on the emergency services. Unfortunately, the success of the market has outgrown what can be safely delivered in this location.
"This was not an easy decision to make, but the health and safety of Harrogate district residents, traders and visitors must always come first.
"We understand that residents and businesses welcome and rely on a Christmas market in Harrogate town centre, and we do too. That's why we're working hard to ensure alternative Christmas festivities take place."
Harrogate's Christmas Markets were cancelled last year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.