Bath’s hugely popular Christmas Market could be reinstated this year after falling foul of Covid restrictions in 2020.
Recommendations to bring it back in a Covid-secure way with a reduced number of stalls are set to be considered by Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) councillors next week. A report to the council’s committee recommends it be scaled back from 205 stalls to 161.
The market, which had been staged for 19 years until it was cancelled last year, is ranked in the top 10 in Europe. It regularly attracted more than 400,00 visitors, bringing an estimated £32.5m into the city’s economy.
Bath could follow a number of other towns and cities across the UK in reinstating its Christmas market this year. York and Liverpool have opened applications for stall holders while Edinburgh’s Christmas Market will go ahead at two-thirds of its previous capacity.
Birmingham Council is awaiting further government advice on staging its market.
The report to B&NES’ cabinet, which meets next Wednesday, June 23, says the council should decide whether to proceed with planning and delivery of the market against a background of uncertainty over the Covid pandemic and new variants entering the UK.
It recommends the market goes ahead from November 25 to December 12 but with key decisions made at intervals prior to this to allow the council time to determine whether the market needs to be scaled back or cancelled based on the number of Covid-19 cases, pressures on the NHS, national guidance on restrictions and the outlook for case numbers.
The recommended dates honour the ongoing covenant that the market does not operate or cause disruption to residents in the week leading up to the Christmas Day on any given year. A residents’ evening would be held on November 24.
Councillors are also being asked to approve a capital budget of £27,200 – funded from revenue – to make improvements to the chalets, with the reduced number allowing more space for visitors to move around the market area during traditionally busy periods.
Express planning permission is not required this year, due to changes in legislation which allows councils to stage market events.
Cabinet member for children and young people, communities and culture, Cllr Dine Romero, said: “Traditionally Bath Christmas Market provides a huge boost to our retail, accommodation, hospitality and tourism sectors and this year could play a critical role in helping business recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In the past it has also provided a great platform to local charities and community groups. While there have been recent suggestions to locate it in Royal Victoria Park, moving the market there or to the edges of the city centre could spell economic disaster for businesses that have managed to survive till now.
“Operating it this year is not without risk and I am pleased to see there are measures in place to reduce both the risk to public health and the pressure on council budgets should government guidance change due Covid-19.”
She said the market would not be promoted internationally but would look to attract more local visitors, with provision to help those with accessibility requirements.
“Making sure it is also sustainable is important for the council and a sustainability policy specifically written for the Christmas market includes, investing in mains fed electricity points so we can remove the use of fossil fuel on-site and promote sustainable energy solutions,” she added.
This includes a LED light only rule ensuring all lighting used is sustainable and efficient.
The report says the Christmas Market is budgeted to be self-funded for the scaled backed 2021/22 market and from 2022/23 it is expected to generate a surplus, which would be reinvested back into future markets and events, as well as providing a sustainable income stream to the council.
And as well as the usual attractions and retail offer the council would work in partnership with Bath Business Improvement District (BID) and external organisations to support cultural events such as indoor performances, carnival style processions, lantern parades and a festive programme of arts. Shop fronts would be animated with festive themes.
Bath Christmas Market won the Tourism Event/Festival of the Year category at the 2019 South West England Tourism Excellence Awards and in 2017 was hailed as the UK’s best outdoor event and a benchmark for other cities’ festive markets by the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA).
