Angry reaction to news that Christmas Market scrapped

Sadness and anger followed confirmation last week that the organiser of the city’s Christmas Market would not be returning this year due to ‘issues’ with licensing.

Woodland Crafts’ Paul Bishopp, who ran four markets a year in the city centre, said he could have made the Christmas Market ‘a destination’ like Bath or Winchester but he was hampered by short set up times and the licences only being issued short-term.

Readers commenting on the Observer Facebook page were quick to call for action from Chichester District Council, which had explained that it had ‘very little control’ over many issues such as county council regulations limiting set up periods in the pedestrianised area.

Commenting, Holly Payn said increased parking prices were driving away traders and shoppers alike.

She wrote: “We need to support local trade, in every form both market and retailers, not make it unattractive and cost prohibitive.

“The country’s economy is already seeing a demise in our city with the likes of HMV disappearing, it’s about the time the council did something at local level to keep it fresh and alive.”

Charm Smillie said she was sad to hear about the market: “I am a non-driver so enjoyed the Christmas Market – meant a little something different.

“Now I will just get the train or bus to the other cities.”

Zoe Swainbank said the loss of the market was ‘shortsighted’: “Surely allowing this to run successfully will bring trade in for the shops and market traders.

“Early planning and publicity would allow for adequate advertising and planning for coach trips etc, like we see in those other cities.”