Pitlochry’s festive market is back on
Cost of licence will now be covered by council
An axed Christmas market is back on the cards after a U-turn by the council.
We revealed earlier this month that concerns had been raised after the organisers of the Pitlochry Christmas Festival said they would be unable to host a market this year.
This is because Perth and Kinross Council had demanded the organisers pay for a market licence, which the organisers could not afford.
However, the town is set for festive cheer, after the council agreed to help them out with the appropriate licences.
Tina Simpson, one of the organisers of Pitlochry Christmas Festival, said: “The council got in touch and contacted me to say ‘what’s the problem, why have you decided not to go ahead with it?’
“I explained money was quite a big issue, it was a big cost, and they said ‘what would it take to sort everything out?’
“They offered to help with all
How we broke the story earlier this month the paperwork and pay for the licence, and they will help us with the insurance as well, so we’re completely overwhelmed and delighted because it means we can just go ahead as usual and not have to worry about the cost, which is great.”
Tina said she had already had to turn away a number of people who wanted a stall at the Christmas market.
She continued: “We are very pleased because we had a number of people who were already asking if they could come along as usual this year, and I had to say ‘no, sorry.’
“I actually had an announcement drafted up on it to say it was cancelled, but that is in the bin now.
“We have already booked in some people and we are going around contacting others so it should be as good as ever.
“I am very grateful for the intervention of the PA, that is clearly what’s prompted it, and grateful to local individuals who help us too. It is clear the market is quite important to people locally, and people wanted to see it go ahead.”
Councillor Angus Forbes, the council’s convener of environment and infrastructure, said: “I am delighted that the council could offer some assistance to the Pitlochry group. The local authority is particularly focused on supporting events which have the potential to bring tourism to Perth