England’s oldest Christmas market axed by Labour council over ‘safety risk’

England’s oldest Christmas market has been scrapped by a Labour council over health and safety concerns. Despite bringing in an estimated £15million for the local economy the hugely popular annual Lincoln festive event has been cancelled – and locals are enraged.

The four-day celebration of all things Christmassy attracted up to 300,000 people each year and began in 1982 and was cancelled by councillors due to the “risk” it posed.

Labour mayor Biff Bean spent the weekend on a civic visit to Lincoln’s twin town Neustadt, Germany and he was believed to have enjoyed a tour of the festive market there, reports Mail Online.

A website that is dedicated to the market captured some of the anger of the local community.

It said: “Lincoln Xmas Market is one of the biggest and best christmas markets in the UK, conveniently located in the centre of England – it’s certainly in the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets UK. Well, it was…

“Why did city of Lincoln cancel it? It wasn’t in the council’s interest and it was hard work for them. Despite huge objections and the majority wanting the market to continue, it was their decision to make, and they axed it.

“We hope with the huge negative financial impact it will have on the city, they may re-instate it in future years. Only time will tell.”

Rachel Whittaker, who runs a photography studio in the Uphill area, said: “It is so sad, people can’t believe it, they’re astonished.

“It’s bizarre.  Other places would fall over themselves to have a December weekend where hundreds of thousands of people are walking around your city, eating, drinking, shopping, having a brilliant time – and spending their money.”

Claire Taylor, 55, who runs Top To Bottom Accessories in the central Steep Hill, said that “footfall is declining in high streets everywhere” and the decision was another “kick in the teeth.”  

The decision to cancel the market came after officials said that they were unable to control the visitor numbers at the event which was located near the city’s cathedral.

But although there were other options to save the market – such as ticketing and spreading the stalls further – it was still shut down.

Conservative MP for Lincoln, Karl McCartney, said: “It’s absolutely outrageous, it is cultural and economic vandalism.

“The financial pain this will inflict on local businesses and charities will be catastrophic. It is real-life nightmare before Christmas stuff.”

Mr McCartney added that there was some overcrowding last year – but that a safer way to run the market could have been found.

Express.co.uk has contacted City of Lincoln Council for comment.

The council told MailOnline that it was not possible to find an alternative “which was practically or financially feasible” after a safety review by police, fire and ambulance services last year.