December 5, 2016 3.44 pm This story is over 87 months old

Over 260k people visit Lincoln Christmas Market 2016

Over 260,000 people visited Lincoln Christmas Market this year over the four-day event. City of Lincoln Council, which organises the annual festive market, have said it was the busiest event since 2011, when a record 300,000 people visited. This year, more than 230,000 people were recorded coming through the castle alone, with around 260,000 believed to have visited the…
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Over 260,000 people visited Lincoln Christmas Market this year over the four-day event.

City of Lincoln Council, which organises the annual festive market, have said it was the busiest event since 2011, when a record 300,000 people visited.

This year, more than 230,000 people were recorded coming through the castle alone, with around 260,000 believed to have visited the market’s 200-plus stalls.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Now in its 34th year, the traditional Christmas market was the first in the UK, starting in 1982 with just 11 stalls and it is estimated the market brings £15 million into the local economy each year. 

Local businesses have also reported more customers this year.

The market park and ride facility proved very popular, with the number of vehicles using the facility on Saturday and Sunday up by more than 25% on last year each day.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

More than 260 coaches came to the event, while East Midlands Trains provided more than 25,000 extra seats.

Simon Colburn, one of the event commanders for the city council, said: “This has been one of the busiest years for the market and the feedback we’re getting from visitors is, on the whole, incredibly positive.

“We’ve had people come from the USA, Australia and many European countries, which is amazing.

“We’ve had some great feedback from local businesses too, who have really benefited from the extra footfall, and a lot of people commented on the fantastic atmosphere throughout the event.

“Highlights this year have included a new big wheel, with a fantastic lighting feature and wheelchair-friendly gondola, and a new layout in the Lawn, which has been really well received.”

Your thoughts

There were plenty of Lincoln residents enjoying the annual event. Debby Bullock said: “It’s a fabulous way to get into the spirit of Christmas and soak up the great atmosphere. Love everything about my city. Especially this. ”

Grace Misiak said: “It was lovely. The atmosphere was very Christmassy and wherever we turned there were people either eating or having one mulled wine to man. The way it should be!”

Some however were disappointed.

Jake Newson said: “Not as good as it had been in the past year. No as many stalls as there has been and the stewards were not sticking to the one rule.”

Michael Hill added: “Some of us live in the middle of it and unless we lock ourselves in our homes for four days we had no choice but to come. Let’s move it to South Hykeham next year.”