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17
Aug 2021
New event organiser set to take over Harrogate Christmas Market
Harrogate Borough Council has said it will now 'actively work' with a new event organiser on a Christmas market this year after unsuccessful talks with the current organisers this morning.
Representatives from Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, which created the market on Montpellier Hill, met two council officers to resolve a dispute that erupted when the council refused to grant a licence for this year's event due to safety concerns.
But after 90 minutes of talks the council issued a statement saying alternative locations "have been refused" and that it would now "move forward to ensure Harrogate hosts safe, vibrant and attractive Christmas festivities this year".
A spokesman added:
He declined to say who the event organiser was.
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Brian Dunsby, one of the current organisers, told the Stray Ferret the council officers at today's meeting had agreed there was no better alternative to Montpellier Hill.
An assessment of alternative Christmas market locations conducted on behalf of the organisers this year considered Valley Gardens, the Great Yorkshire Showground, Victoria Avenue and Princes Square, Cambridge Street and Oxford Street, West Park Stray and Oatlands Drive Stray, the Dragon Road car park, the Majestic Hotel, the Cairn Hotel, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate Convention Centre - and concluded the current location was the best.
Mr Dunsby, who has been warned by council leader Richard Cooper not to try to galvanise support for his cause, said:
Two Christmas markets?
Mr Dunsby said he was "absolutely livid" at the prospect of losing the market he and his team have built up into such a major event. Nevertheless they planned to resubmit their event management plan to address issues raised by the council about the current site.
Mr Dunsby said he was open to the town centre hosting a second Christmas market in December in addition to the established one.
His team currently has 170 traders and 53 coaches arranged for this year's event, which was expected to attract 85,000 people and generate £2.5 million for the local economy from November 18 to 21. Mr Dunsby said he had received "massive support" from traders, adding.
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