Firms pledge £20k to Christmas Market

Several local and national companies have pledged over £20,000 in cash to support the Lincoln Christmas Market this year, taking place December 2 to 5.

Travel companies Stagecoach and East Midlands Trains are sponsoring the event, as well as Cadbury and business services firm Mouchel.

British confectionery maker Cadbury will have a special stall at this year’s Christmas Market, making chocolate bars with a charitable twist.

Cadbury, now owned by US-based Kraft, will have a workshop in St Paul in the Bail, which will allow market-goers to create a chocolate bar to their taste.

The company will also sell one of its new products, with 10% of all profits going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which Cadbury is sponsoring.

Mouchel will play its part by arranging for Father Christmas to return to the Christmas Market, as well as making a cash contribution.

Two other companies will also produce publicity materials and brochures for free for the City of Lincoln Council, the organisers of the Christmas Market.

“Business support for the event is incredibly important, because it proves that local and national companies realise its value,” said Council Leader Darren Grice.

“Crucially, the financial and in-kind support we receive reduces the cost to the council for staging the event.

“We have worked hard over the last two years to successfully reduce the cost of the event through clever thinking with contracts, our pricing structures and better organisation, and are continuing that work this year.

“But every bit of added support we receive from private companies is needed and well received,” Grice explained.

The City of Lincoln Council have selected in August the final 250 businesses to appear at the annual Lincoln Christmas Market.

Over 400 companies from across Europe applied for a stall, a record number for the event, the council says.

Source: City of Lincoln Council | Photo:  Derek Law