Wind and rain failed to put a dampener on the opening of Bath’s Christmas markets last night. The opening celebrations – complete with the traditional lantern procession – went ahead, just before the heavens opened.
With 139 chalet-style stalls, this year’s Christmas markets are the biggest and best in the 12-year history of the event, which brings in an additional £11m for the city in the lead up to Christmas.
As a stunning lightshow played over the walls of Bath Abbey, Bath Tourism Plus (BTP) chairman Matt Davis spoke to guests at an official opening celebration inside the Roman Baths.
He said: “The market attracts over 350,000 visitors and almost 1,000 coaches. It brings in an additional £11m of spending – not only to the market itself, but crucially also into local shops, restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
“Working with the Bath Improvement District (BID), BTP is spending almost £100,000 promoting the Bath at Christmas m
essage.”
Around 18% of visitors to the markets, which operate until December 9, are local residents with a further 69% day visitors. But, at a time when hotels would otherwise be quiet, 13% are tourists spending an average of two nights in Bath.
The average spend per head was £60 in 2010 – with £20 spent in the market itself and £40 outside.
“B&NES (Bath & North East Somerset Council) even receives over £80,000 income for support services associated with the Christmas Market,” said Mr Davis, adding that in future the markets might extend further, with stalls in High Street, Lower Broad Street and opportunities to work with Southgate.
Meanwhile, the launch party for Bath on Ice, the city’s new festive ice rink, took place last night – but with no chance for guests to be first on the rink due to the heavy rain.
The rink, which has transformed two of the outdoor tennis courts in Royal Victoria Park, opens today. It features a rink-side café styled as a Christmas market chalet serving a range of locally-sourced tempting festive treats
Bath on Ice is owned and operated by Excel Tennis, run by businessmen Colin and Simon Smith who were both born and educated in the area.
They have sourced a number of other local Bath-based businesses to help create the rink. With services ranging from lighting to serving up mince pies, soup and hot mulled cider, they have ensured that the project is Bath based to the core.
Bath on Ice will add to the city’s Christmas attractions with opportunities for people of all ages to get into the festive spirit and take to the ice. For further details and to book online visit www.bathonice.com or phone 07583 258688.
