Yahoo News Council defends scrapping UK's oldest Christmas market due to 'overcrowding' fears
The Lincoln Christmas Market has been closed down this year because of fears that too many people would turn up.
A local council has defended its decision to scrap the UK's oldest Christmas market over fears it could become too crowded.
The popular Lincoln Christmas Market in the cathedral city, which had been running since 1982, attracted more than 320,000 visitors over four days last year - higher than its ideal 250,000 limit.
The decision to axe the event has sparked a war of words between rival political parties within Lincoln City Council.
The Labour-led council scrapped the market in February, opting instead for a series of smaller events throughout the year, as well as an ice trail taking place this weekend.
Announcing the decision, the council said: “We understand that following the massive success of 2022, so many people in such a small area over a short period of time can be uncomfortable, and we want to ensure the best experience possible for visitors to our wonderful city."
It said the council's Christmas market’s £260,000 budget would instead be split across the year.
Last week, a motion put forward by Conservative Party councillors to reverse the decision was rejected amid heated scenes in the council chamber.
The motion was put forward by Tory group leader Tom Dyer and read: "The city council's alternative events programme does not and will never replace the Christmas Market."
Karl McCartney, the Conservative MP for Lincoln, referred to the council's leader, Rick Metcalfe, as "Ebenezer Scrooge" in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
McCartney told Yahoo News UK: "The Labour council’s decision to close our world famous Christmas Market is absolutely outrageous.
"It is cultural and economic vandalism. The financial pain this will inflict on local businesses and charities will be catastrophic.
"The market is part of our city's rich heritage as much as the cathedral, castle and the Romans.
"The decision has astonished people across the country let alone locally.
"We have to bring it back next year but with changes if needed."
Metcalfe told Yahoo News UK: “We understand some people’s disappointment that Lincoln Christmas Market is no more.
"The decision was announced nine months ago on the basis that we simply could not continue delivering an event that had been deemed a significant risk to public safety.
"Lincoln at Christmas remains a stunning place to visit, with lights all across the city centre and our new ice trail and traditional festive activities taking place this weekend.”
During the meeting last week, Metcalfe said it cost about £750,000 to make last year's event safe, and that "no amount of money" could have ensured safety this year.
Christmas markets in the UK
The German-style Christmas market first arrived in the UK in Lincoln in 1982, and the market there ran for 40 years before being replaced this year with several smaller Christmas events in the city.
Birmingham began hosting its own Christmas market in 1997. Markets in Manchester, Newcastle, Exeter, Bath and St Albans followed.
When the event in Lincoln began in 1982, there were just 14 stalls. Its council brought the event there after being inspired by its German twin town, Neustadt.
By 2017, there were 186 stalls, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
Last year, more than 320,000 visited the market over the space of four days.
In 2014, a survey by the University of Lincoln revealed that three out of four visitors to the city came to see the market, which received more than 300 pre-booked coach tours.
By 2017, estimated visitor spend on the UK's Christmas markets had reached £500m, double the £250m reported just two years previously, the LGA said.
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