Company is ‘truly sorry’ for confusion over Christmas market events
A ROW has erupted following the cancellation of several Christmas events organised near a market.
St Elvan’s Church, in Aberdare, Cynon Linc, and Aberaman Band Club claim they had to cancel some of their Christmas events due to objections from Aberdare Market Company.
Aberdare Market and Town Hall Company said that it “has held exclusive rights to hold markets within two miles of Aberdare town centre since 1853” but they “have never declined a charitable event or fete”.
The company said it is “truly sorry for any confusion caused in regards to the Aberaman Christmas Market”, and claimed the original marketing did not mention the fact the event was organised for charitable benefit.
They said a “£1 licence fee needed to be paid along with associated legal costs”, but the company has confirmed with the organisers that the event can take place.
Vikki Howells MS said residents had contacted both herself and Our Aberdare BID to express anger that charitable Christmas Fayres planned by St Elvans Church, Aberaman Band Club and Cynon Linc had been prevented from going ahead.
She said she “stands united” with Our Aberdare BID. Ms Howells claims the company’s actions “serve only to undermine community spirit and hold back opportunities for Aberdare to thrive.”
The MS also published a letter on Twitter signed by Our Aberdare BID chairman Jim Bradley.
Part of the letter states: “We must object to the recent letters sent by Aberdare Market to St Elvan’s, Cynon Linc and Aberaman Band Club.
“We cannot allow archaic Acts of Parliament to restrict the ability to regenerate and sustain Aberdare.
“Local businesses and community members must be able to hold events such as markets and fayres throughout our town all year round.
“We need to promote our town as a whole, including market stalls and traders so that we can attract visitors to show them all we have to offer.”
On Friday, St Elvan’s Church claimed it already had to cancel Christmas events following objections from the market company.
Heritage manager and community engagement officer at the church Karin Mear said it was “dreadful”.
She said: “A few months ago we planned an event for small businesses to have a Christmas fayre.
“Lots of people source their income through small businesses such as making cards, knitting, etc.
“We were told we couldn’t do that due to the Act of Parliament, but we could have a charity fayre.”
Karin said they then started to plan this event, but were later told to be able to host it they would have to pay “legal costs”. She said the church had no choice but to cancel the fayre.
“Some of the market traders booked stalls with us,” Karin added.
“They have been robbed of the chance to make extra money. It has been devastating as it was our first big Christmas event.”
The church is still hosting Santa’s Grotto events in the run-up to Christmas, and they hope people will still visit.
Part of a statement from St Elvan’s Church reads: “The planned Christmas Fayre at the church has been cancelled this year due to objections received from the Aberdare Market Company.
“Our Santa’s Grotto and Christmas activities will be going ahead on Saturday December 11 and 18, together with performances of The Snowman Live on Sunday December 12 and 19.
“Our Christmas cafe will also be open each weekend, together with advent services each Sunday at 11am, plus additional concerts taking place throughout December.
“We look forward to welcoming the local community and wider visitors into the church and Aberdare, as St Elvan’s has been doing since 1852.
“Let’s make Christmas 2021 one to remember for the whole town. See you there!”
Meanwhile community hub Cynon Linc, also confirmed some of its charity events would be cancelled.
On Friday, the hub released the following statement: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have cancelled our Charity Christmas Fayre for December 17 and 18.
“The Meet Santa sessions will still be going ahead on these dates.
“We will be in touch with stallholders to arrange refunds.”
Traders at Aberdare Market said they have “no say in decisions made by the Market Company”.
The Aberdare Market and Arcade Facebook Page is run by a few of the stallholders, and they have also released a statement, part of which reads: “This page is voluntarily run by a couple of the stallholders and their staff.
“This page was set up to showcase the businesses and products that the Market, Market Arcade and associated businesses within Market Street have to offer and to keep people informed of goings on and offers.
“First and foremost, Market Management have no involvement with this page. Aberdare Market and Arcade wish to step away from the decision made by the Market Company regarding the Christmas Fayre.
“Stallholders are individual traders and have no say in decisions made by the Market Company.”
Aberdare Market and Town Hall Company released the following statement: “Aberdare Market and Town Hall Company is truly sorry for any confusion caused in regards to the Aberaman Christmas Market.
“As an organisation we have always been supportive of other local organisations, charities and events.
“Under Acts of Statute, Aberdare Market and Town Hall Company has held the exclusive rights to hold markets within two miles of Aberdare town centre since 1853, but this is used at every possible opportunity to enable other organisations to hold events and we have never declined a charitable event or fete.
“Aberdare Market regularly works with other organisations to hold market events on behalf of charities.
“In exchange we simply ask that these organisations pay us a £1 licence fee and cover a portion of the legal fees that we incur on their behalf when charging the licence.
“We were recently made aware of the Aberaman Band Club Christmas Market to be held on Sunday, December 5, and alerted the market’s organisers to the relevant Acts of Statute, which is in place to protect the stall holders at Aberdare Market.
“The original advertisement did not mention that the event was for charity. However when we were told by the organiser that the Christmas Market was being held to raise money for a defibrillator for the local community, we immediately confirmed that it could go ahead as planned, and made them aware that a £1 licence fee needed to be paid along with associated legal costs.
“Since then the Christmas Market has been cancelled.
“This was not at the insistence of the Aberdare Markets and Town Hall Company, and any comments to the contrary are incorrect.
“Wherever we can, we work with local organisations to facilitate local fundraising events and this case is no different.
“Our priority is to support the traders at Aberdare Market and the wider Aberdare Community.”