Plans for Harrogate Christmas Market to go ahead this year still on track, organisers say

Brian Dunsby OBE, one of the organisers, said they are still preparing to host the Market in November and hope the social distancing rules will have been relaxed by then.

He told the Harrogate Advertiser: “We are planning for the Harrogate Christmas Market as usual on Montpellier Hill and St Mary’s Walk from November 12-15 this year.

“We have been taking applications since late February and now have 170 applications accepted towards a maximum of 200 stalls – with many enquiries outstanding for a follow-up.”

But despite the impressive number of stall applications, Mr Dunsby said no payment will be taken until they have obtained the Street Trading License from Harrogate Borough Council.

The Market is set to open from 10am to 8pm on the Thursday and Friday, 09.30am to 8pm on the Saturday and 09.30am to 5.30pm on the Sunday.

The children’s fun fair and Father Christmas are expected as usual and there will be free admission at all times.

Mr Dunsby added: “As last year, access to Montpellier Hill and Esplanade will be restricted during the build-up and the four open days of the market. St Mary’s Walk North will be closed from Monday, November 9 to Tuesday, November 17.”

The plans suggest Harrogate is set for a booming Christmas period.

Harrogate Business Improvement District is set to invest a sizable slice of its levy money from local businesses to make sure the festive season this year is a success for the town centre and its retail sector.

BID’s Interim manager Simon Kent and acting chairman Sara Ferguson's list of plans to boost Harrogate’s economy in the coming months includes giving Harrogate its best-ever Christmas lights in shopping areas, as well as holding Christmas events in the town centre to attract shoppers.

For more information on the market, visit www.harrogatechristmasmarket.org