City council defends decision to go ahead with festive market
CHANGES PLANNED TO ENSURE SAFETY OF SHOPPERS
NOTTINGHAM City Council says it took “great care and consideration” before allowing the annual Christmas market to go ahead this year, despite the whole of Nottinghamshire coming under the strictest Tier Three restrictions.
There will be festivities in Old Market Square, with some big changes in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
No alcohol will be sold at the market, stalls will be spread out across Old Market Square as well as on Long Row and Smithy Row, and capacity will be limited if required.
The popular Sur La Piste and Altitude bars, ice bar and outdoor ice skating rink will not be staged this year.
The market will be open every day from Saturday from 10am to 9pm, until Christmas Eve.
The local authority said it “fully understands” that giving the goahead for an event this year is an “emotive issue”.
It comes after some people on the Post’s website, Nottinghamshire Live, criticised this decision, saying the market should not go ahead.
A city council spokesperson said: “People in Nottingham have been working so hard, alongside the council and its partners, to stick to national guidelines and stop the spread of Covid-19 – and we thank them again.
“This has resulted in a significant reduction in cases but, of course, there is still much hard work ahead of us.
“We’ve taken great care in considering Christmas Nottingham this year. “Detailed discussions took place with the Council’s Safety Advisory Group, which includes representation from Public Health colleagues. “Outdoor markets and attractions can go ahead under the Government’s Covid rules from December 2, and a number of other cities across the country are hosting similar small-scale events. “We spoke at length with the market operator, Mellors Group, and having received the required assurances in respect of their Covid-safe measures, we made the decision that the event could go ahead. “We’d like to reassure people that this year’s market will be plans for nothing like previous Winter Wonderlands in Old Market Square.
“It will cover less than half of the usual space. There will be no alcohol sold or any public seating areas.”
The council said a “reduced number” of stalls would be spaced out, leaving room for visitors to ensure that two-metre social distancing rules can be maintained.
Council staff will monitor Covid19 measures and capacity at all times – if necessary closing off areas of the square.
All market traders will comply with national guidance on outdoor markets, which will include staff wearing face coverings and providing hand sanitiser at every stall for customer use, the authority added.
Risk assessments have been carried out for all rides with individual plans put in place, which will either have hand sanitising before and after, or wiping down seats and hand rails.
The spokesperson added: “We are also mindful that the market will help support our city-centre retail economy.
“As well as hopefully providing a much-needed boost for businesses in the city centre, more than half of the market traders are local.
“Nottingham’s Covid rates have fallen dramatically in recent weeks precisely because of the ongoing efforts of those who live and work in our fantastic city.
“This year has been so hard for everyone, and we know Christmas – usually such a social and family-orientated period – unfortunately isn’t going to be the same in 2020.
“We hope the market, along with plans to extend opening times in the city centre to stagger shoppers throughout the day, will provide an environment for people to feel festive, support local businesses and, most importantly, stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas.”
This year’s market will be nothing like previous Winter Wonderlands in Old Market Square
City council spokesperson