Sadness as council forced to cancel this year's Kimberley Christmas Market
This year’s Kimberley Christmas Market has unfortunately been cancelled.
Posting on its Facebook page, Kimberley Council said: “Due to circumstances beyond our control we have no viable indoor venue option without presenting a financially unviable event.”
The council stated the main reasons were the rising costs of security management and security costs as a direct result of event management requirements set out by higher authorities than the council.
The council also highlighted a decreasing number of volunteers and decreasing availability of the volunteers remaining – although this is disputed by volunteers from the event in the past who say they were not contacted by the council since it took over running the event.
The council also hightlight declining numbers of vendors and stall holders of sufficient variety to be fair to traders and visitors alike.
However, the council says it is determined that it will be just this year’s event that is cancelled and there is every intention for it to be back next year.
Coun Sam Boneham, deputy mayor of Kimberley, said: “We are incredibly sad to have had to make this decision as we recognise the Christmas Market is a much-loved and well attended event within the Kimberley event scene.
"Unfortunately a number of factors combined have made this cancellation necessary.
"This, however, is only a cancellation for this year, as we are already putting into action ways to future proof the longevity of the Christmas Market.
"We will also be expanding the offering at this year's Christmas lights-switch-on event on November 27.
"For the last few years Kimberley has been host to a number of fantastic events including the food festival earlier this year which was yet again a roaring success, and have many great events still to come including the Christmas lights, our spooktacular Halloween-themed activities and our Valentines event coming up in February of next year.
"These events are delivered by a great team of volunteers who make up the events committee and I want to recognise the work and dedication they put into everything that they do.
"If people wish to get involved in the works of the event committee they can contact the council directly via [email protected] and they will be welcomed to join our meetings as members of the committee."