Lincoln Christmas Market - An Updated Summary
Lincoln BIG have worked closely with the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Lincolnshire Food and Drink to ensure the voice of business is heard. Even though the vote on Monday 20th February was in favour of discontinuing the Christmas Market, we will continue to fight for the best outcome for our local economy and encourage businesses to engage with us so collectively, we can gain the best outcome for Lincoln.
Following the recent news that the City of Lincoln Council were proposing to not run the Lincoln Christmas market in 2023 and beyond, Lincoln BIG immediately sought the views of its members businesses via in person consultations and a digital survey.
We appreciate businesses taking the time to share their views with us, these requests for feedback provided us with an immediate reaction as to how businesses in the city feel about the proposals.
Shortly after the announcement, the Board of Lincoln BIG met with the Council representatives and a robust exchange of views was had to ensure that our members views and concerns were heard and fully understood. As a result of the meeting, the City of Lincoln Council were able to provide more detail about the proposal a list of questions and detailed answers were published on our website and shared through our mailing list.
In preparation for the Council Executive Committee meeting on Monday 20th February to discuss the Christmas Market, Lincoln BIG shared the digital survey results and the arguments put forward from the in person consultations with the decision makers at the City of Lincoln Council, ensuring our members voices are being heard. The Council shared that the summary of the results were of great interest and are similar to other anecdotal feedback they have received in that the Christmas Market is held in great regard by many, but conversely there are a number of respondents who feel the market has reached the end and hence look forward to a new programme of activity.
We are grateful to the City of Lincoln Council for meeting with us so quickly and listening to our members views. We hope the comments will aid the decision making process and be fully considered when forming a new programme of arts and cultural activity, ensuring the programme meets the needs of businesses in every sector, be that retail or hospitality.
The work Lincoln BIG have been undertaking has uncovered some really important information and we continue to seek the views of our members. Following the vote on Monday 20th February, we will continue to articulate the views of members as we move into the next phases.
Please continue getting in touch so we can ensure your voice is heard and new information continues to be placed before the Council promptly.
The City of Lincoln Council have shared their minutes of the executive meeting on 20th February, which agreed to the reallocation of funds and new Christmas in Lincoln. Please click here to review.
Please click here to view the full statement from Simon Beardsley, Managing Director of Lincoln BIG.
Lincoln Christmas Market has continuously brought in a significant number of visitors to the city, locally and afar which gives a huge boost not just to the stall holders, but also to our retail, accommodation, and hospitality sectors.
Many of our city-centre businesses saw increased profits over the Christmas market weekend but some also chose to close over the weekend.
It is clear large events bring footfall into the city, helping increase spending within local stores and businesses. However, as the city continues to host these experiences for both locals and visitors alike, on a more regular basis throughout the year, we anticipate this will help increase local spending and footfall more often.
The Christmas Market played a crucial role in boosting our members in the retail and hospitality sector after such a tough time, so if the next phases progress, and we lose our traditional market, we will continue to work with our members and the City Council to see how Christmas in Lincoln can be developed as well as the wider events calendar, throughout the whole Christmas period and beyond.
Recently we have seen other cities cancel their Christmas Markets, including Leeds, Glasgow and Southampton due to lack of funds and safety of visitors, so Lincoln isn’t alone.
If you have any other thoughts or concerns, please let us know.
Click here to download the Lincoln Christmas Market briefing document.