How successful was this year's Harrogate Christmas Market? - Visitor numbers revealed

The Harrogate Christmas Market generated a footfall of more than 80,000 over its four-day duration, and the town centre was heaving as shoppers set out to buy the perfect stocking filler.

Organiser Brian Dunsby said: “In spite of the poor weather this year, the number of visitors was as high as ever. The trader feedback forms indicate another very successful event, with many messages of appreciation for the excellent voluntary organisation and the very helpful Market Makers who made it happen.”

The relocation of the Christmas lights switch-on after 12 years of being staged outside Victoria Shopping Centre seems to have paid off.

The chairman of Harrogate at Christmas, John Fox, said its new bigger home on Oxford Street allows more people to attend, who can then browse the shops and businesses that are staying open later afterwards.

This year’s switch-on entertainment included performances from Harrogate High School’s choir and Reincantation, a new choir started up by former members of Rock Up and Sing!

Harrogate High School headteacher Charlotte Clarke, said: “What a privilege it was for our school choir to perform at the Christmas lights switch-on. We are incredibly proud of our students who sang beautifully and were well-supported and prepared by our music department. We would like to wish the community an enjoyable lead up to Christmas.

Richard Hayter, who is part of Reincantation, said: “None of us felt the cold, we were so excited. This was only our second performance as a choir, and we all enjoyed it so much."