A campaign to save Lincoln Christmas Markets is growing

It's been a week now since the City of Lincoln Council first announced they were looking into the future of the event

Author: Charlotte LinnecarPublished 17th Feb 2023
Last updated 17th Feb 2023

A petition to save the Lincoln Christmas Markets has now reached almost 3,000 signatures.

A week ago today the City of Lincoln Council announced they were looking to scrap the Christmas Market and hold smaller events throughout the year instead.

This has left mixed opinions across businesses and the public.

But it was the owner of a photography shop on Burton Road that decided to set up a campaign; to host the markets but improve its logistics.

Now Rachel Whitaker is looking to pitch to two councillors this evening:

Innovate the market don't execute it

"I want to tell them that the way the market has morphed over the years, what it's morphed into is flawed now.

It's become a bit of a beast.

People say it's a victim of its own success but I'm asking them to innovate the market, not execute it.

So I'm going to them with solutions, I think we need to look at everything a bit more holistically and positively and try and make some changes.

"There's so many people behind this campaign now, thousands, and I feel like if we rally enough, get enough signatures and actually come up with solutions which are viable, which bring money to the city... maybe we can change their mind."

I want to spend as much time at the market as possible

Rachel London Photography is a shop in the Bailgate area, a key place for the Christmas Markets, and Rachel tells us she's encountered challenges:

"I'm a local girl, I live on Burton road. Every time the markets on, I have to park elsewhere, I get my steps in because I have to walk way further to get anywhere. I could say it's an inconvenience, for a lot of people it's uphill.

"But I absolutely love it, I moved to this area three years ago, I moved knowing that this area brings in amazing events throughout the year and that's part of living in this kind of area.

So I just think you have to get involved, you have to get on board and I really do, whenever the market's on, I love spending as much time on the market as possible."

No decision has been made yet, and a meeting is being held on Monday to discuss the future of the Lincoln Christmas Markets.

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