‘Wonderland gives us hope’

A NOTTINGHAM city centre newsagent believes having no Winter Wonderland in Old Market Square could cripple the city this Christmas.

His views have been backed by the East Midlands Chamber, who said “it could have significant economic ramifications should the event not go ahead”.

Mick Garton, who owns newsagents across Nottingham, made the decision to close MSR Newsgroup in Wollaton Street in July after making as little as £50 a day.

He has since reopened the shop but said businesses need a “Christmas boost” otherwise they will struggle through the hard trading months of January and February.

He is calling on behalf of city centre businesses for Nottingham City Council to put on a Winter Wonderland event, including a Christmas market and bar.

Restrictions would need to be in place, he said, but without a big draw into the city this Christmas trade would dramatically suffer.

His concerns have also been echoed by East Midlands Chamber, which represent city centre businesses. The chamber said the

Christmas market “represents a very large proportion of income” for the shops, restaurants and pubs surrounding Old Market Square.

The city council has not yet confirmed whether it will run any events in the large city centre space over the Christmas period.

Mr Garton said his West Bridgford store was “on its knees” after losing significant trade from Nottingham Forest and cricket fans not allowed back into their grounds.

Previously, the store would make £1,000 a day but was now “struggling to make £100”.

He said his Friar Lane store was running at 60 percent while the Wollaton Street store, which had closed but has now reopened, is running at 50 percent.

He said his Angel Row store was at 70 percent, but times were still tough as the shops were running at a loss.

He told the Post: “It is vital we get a Christmas market and give the public and businesses some stimulus to the last couple of weeks of the year.

“It is a big attraction and yes, there should be restrictions in place. I accept that, but it’s important we have something to give us hope. If footfall is knocked off the planet at Christmas that’s going to cause huge problems. You combine that with the end of the furlough scheme, it will cause problems for businesses next year.

“The Christmas market could tide us over, but if it is not going ahead, it will be really hard to get through the next few months next year when people are short of money in January and February.”

Chris Hobson, East Midlands Chamber director of policy and external affairs, said: “The annual Christmas market in Nottingham is not only a highlight for residents and visitors, but represents a very large proportion of income for the traders on the site, as well as businesses surrounding Old Market Square.

“Many of the businesses that have ploughed on over the summer will be desperate for a positive festive period, with the Christmas market at the centrepiece of this, so it could have significant economic ramifications should the event not go ahead.

“Words have consequences and it is important this isn’t taken to mean that ‘Christmas is cancelled.’

A city council spokesman said any plans will be on hold until more was known about the nature of new Government restrictions.