There has been a week of to-ing and fro-ing between Harrogate Council and the former Harrogate Christmas Market organisers over the safety of the Montpellier Hill site where the market has been held previously.
Now, the Leader of Harrogate Council, Richard Cooper, has issued a statement committing the council to a safe, central Christmas market in Harrogate to support the town’s traders.
Councillor Richard Cooper said: “It’s time to move on. The he-said-said-she-said Punch and Judy show between the council and the former Christmas market organisers about the feasibility of Montpellier Hill isn’t getting us any further forward and the public are bored of it.
“What is important is that Harrogate hosts a safe, vibrant and attractive Christmas market bringing more people into our town to shop in our fantastic independent stores, sample our amazing cafés and restaurants and setting cash registers ringing.
“So we are moving the conversation on to focus only on that goal now. Fortunately, a number of event organisers have been in touch, with one in-particular showing great enthusiasm to bring their business and expertise to Harrogate town centre this Christmas. And why wouldn’t they with all that we have to offer?
“From today we are formalising that discussion.
“We are also keeping the invitation open to the former organisers to explore alternative locations and discuss those with us, for the betterment of town centre trade. And put the previous disagreements behind us all.”
Photo: Harrogate BID
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