Nottingham’s Christmas market ‘temporarily shut’ after complaints about social distancing

The festive stalls have been shut after photos on social media showed large crowds in the city centre on the opening day.

The council made the decision to close rides and hospitality stalls at Nottingham’s Christmas market due to complaints about social distancing on Saturday, December 5.

Mellors Group, the organiser company of the event, said the Christmas market is ‘temporarily closed’.

Mellors Group on Twitter.

Stalls will not reopen today “and will not reopen again unless it is safe to do so”, MP for Nottingham North Alex Norris said.

The city council has previously supported the idea of running the Christmas market despite the city being placed in Tier 3 restrictions.

The controversial decision was criticised by users on social media, who thought the idea was ‘shortsighted’.

This followed an array of photos and videos taken on the opening day at the market showing large crowds heading into the city centre.

People had to queue to enter the central market. (Credit: Olimpia Zagnat)

Business owner Neil Simpson, 36, of Lace Market, said: “I think it was shortsighted to give it the go ahead in the first place.

“Anyone with any common sense could have seen what was going to happen and what did happen on day one.”

Hundreds were seen queuing to enter the central market on Saturday, and police were forced to intervene after a huge party erupted in the night.

Neil and his partner Maddy went both into the city centre on Sunday morning, December 6, to visit the stalls.

However, once they arrived there, they were told the Christmas market was shut.

Neil added: “We got there at 10.15am and we were trying to get in.

“The security guard said it was all being closed down.

“I asked if it was closed permanently and he confirmed.”

He also expressed concerns about the economical consequences of market’s closure: “If the council now has to pay financially for their shortsightedness that’s just a kick in the teeth for residents paying council tax after the Robin Hood energy fiasco and at a time where the people of Nottingham really need to lean on the financial reserves the council is supposed to protect.”

The city council press office have been approached for a comment.

Feature image: Neil Simpson.

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