February 18, 2019 1.55 pm This story is over 61 months old

Christmas Market overspend down to extra security and cleaning

Increased security and a fee freeze were also in the mix
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

An additional spend of £85,950 on the 2018 Christmas Market was partly down to its success, requiring extra cleaning and waste collection, say Lincoln bosses.

The event also saw money put in to increased security and a fee freeze for traders, it has been revealed.

Although the full cost figures are not yet available, Lincoln city councillors will next week be told that there is “a shortfall against income targets”.

Simon Walters, director of communities and environment at City of Lincoln Council, said: “We run Lincoln Christmas Market in order to bring hundreds of thousands of people to Lincoln, showcase all the city has to offer and encourage visitors to come back all-year-round.

“It is not put on to generate income for ourselves.”

He added some costs of the free-to-enter event also came from “a combination of anticipated increased costs in some areas.”

He put the overspend down to “strengthening of our security” which he said the authority “would not cut corners on”.

“The safety of our visitors is of utmost importance to us and it is essential that we ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable event,” he said.

He added that additional refuse disposal was also needed because it was “so good it resulted in additional disposal and cleansing requirements.”

The authority estimates more than 239,000 people visited this years market – 39,000 more than last year’s figures.

“In hosting world-class events such as the Christmas Market we give a much-needed cash injection to local businesses and we remain fully committed to supporting this event and all the benefits it provides the city,” said Mr Walters, adding the authority was “already planning for an even bigger and better market for 2019”.

The report before councillors says the reasons for the additional spend also included a reduction in those using park and ride and coaches.

A detailed report will go before councillors in March.

Last year Lincoln Christmas Market made a £53,750 loss in its financial report, just a year after making its first profit in half a decade.

Here are some of the figures from the past seven years.

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