Christmas market cancelled over costs and staffing

A Christmas market held in a town in Nottinghamshire has been cancelled due to rising costs and lack of volunteers.

The Kimberley market, which attracted more than 80 stalls, was handed over to the town council in 2024 after being run by volunteers for more than a decade.

The council said a number of factors, including a lack of financially viable indoor venues, rising safety and traffic management costs, falling volunteer numbers and difficulties getting a "sufficient variety" of stalls, had forced the cancellation.

In a statement on social media, officials said it was "a decision that was incredibly difficult for us to make".

The market has been held on the first or second Sunday in December and ran along much of the town's Main Street.

The statement said: "Due to circumstances beyond our control we have no viable indoor venue option without presenting a financially unviable event.

"Rising costs of traffic management and security costs as a direct result of event management requirements set forth by higher authorities than Kimberley Town Council."

It added the pressure of organising the event on a shrinking pool of volunteers had put a "huge strain" on the team.

"It is incredibly sad to have to cancel any event we host in Kimberley as we know they are a great boost to local businesses and well loved by stall holders, residents and visitors," the council said.

"However we also have to balance that with financial viability of the event itself.

"We are now focusing on ensuring that the Christmas Lights Switch On event on 27 November is another huge success and we are working to enhance the offering of that event."

Officials also confirmed they were looking to ensure a Christmas market could return next year.

The local library is holding its own Christmas market on the same night as the lights switch-on and this is unaffected.

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