Lincoln Seasonal Market Secure Despite Losses

With the country enduring record temperatures and sleepless nights, it may seem a funny time to be talking about Christmas markets, but if we do, then it only goes to prove that tourism is a 52 week a year business.

Lincoln Christmas Market

With this in mind, Lincoln City Council has sought to allay fears about the future of the local Christmas market, by issuing a statement saying that this year’s market will go ahead despite last year’s £100,000 loss.

The situation was not helped by a drop in visitor numbers from 350,000 to 250,000 year on year. These in themselves are pretty impressive visitor figures, but the reduction is worrying. Local council officials admitted that a much-criticised one-way system had been a major factor in higher costs and lower income.

They take the view that the Christmas Market gave a dramatic financial boost to the local economy, running into millions of pounds, and they would seek to reduce the losses rather than call a halt to the whole thing. Changes to the 2012 had resulted from complains and concerns about overcrowding in 2011, so it seems as though it is a question of getting the balance right.

Kate Ellis, assistant director planning and regeneration at the City of Lincoln Council, said: "We are committed to the market because it raises the city's profile and benefits the economy. But we are not in a position where we are able to continue to write off that amount of money, so it is down to people like myself and the team to come up with ways of making it more cost-effective."

Mark Hollingworth of the Bailgate Area Guild, which represents retailers in the area, said: "The market has wider benefits that just trying to make money but it should at least be able to break even."
Basic pitch prices have been raised by 5%,  and now range from £945 to £1,260, but organisers said they cannot raise prices further and remain competitive.

This year’s market is scheduled to take place 5th to 8th December inclusive.

                                                  http://lincoln-christmasmarket.co.uk/

                                                      http://www.lincolntourism.co.uk/