Christmas in Northampton unwrapped (Northampton Liberal Democrats)

Northampton Liberal Democrats <info@northamptonlibdems.org.uk>

Christmas in Northampton unwrapped

October 25, 2009 6:40 PM

Christmas Tree Lib Dem led Northampton Borough Council has unveiled a big and bold programme of Christmas events and festivities.

The Christmas season will see more lights in the town centre, a stunning real tree in a landmark position and for the first time, a traditional German Christmas Market to put Northampton on the map as a place to visit and shop.

Northampton Borough Council has been working with the team responsible for Blackpool illuminations to design a Christmas lighting scheme that is both attractive and cost effective. There will be lights placed along Gold Street, the Drapery, Abington Street, Bridge Street and the Market Square to welcome people into Northampton.

There will be Christmas trees at the Mounts entrance to Abington Street, at the Guildhall and at All Saints Square, where a 40ft natural tree will take pride of place.

At the centre of it all will be a German market, selling typical food and gifts from traditional cabins and operating every day from 10am to 9pm.

The German company involved has been operating similar markets in Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and Edinburgh - and Frankfurt - for some years and bringing them to Northampton should give the kind of Christmas shopping experience that will draw in visitors not just from across Northamptonshire, but across the region.

Councillor Paul Varnsverry, Portfolio holder for Culture, said: "It has been a tough 2009 for many Northamptonians, so we wanted to make this Christmas even bigger, better and brighter than before.

"There will be more family fun than ever on the Market Square and in the town centre. Despite the tough times, there will be more reason than ever to shop in Northampton this Christmas.

"Northampton has a lot to be proud of, with the largest Market Square in the country and more and more quality retailers. Our ambition is to draw people from across the county and beyond to shop here this Christmas."

The German Market will offer traditional food and gifts and will complement our existing market and shop traders. The market will be run by Kurt Stroscher, who said that he had been really keen to set up in Northampton and run an event on our historic Market Square.

"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to bring an authentic German Christmas Market to Northampton and am looking forward to sharing our German Christmas traditions with local people. German and English Christmas customs are different, but both are bound to be an exciting experience, bringing a whole new dimension to the Christmas offer and creating a wonderful atmosphere. I'd like to thank everyone at Northampton Borough Council who has helped to make this event a reality," Kurt said.

The market will open on November 24 and the big switch on for the lights will take place on November 28. There will be other events such as carol concerts in the lead up to Christmas.