Edinburgh Christmas Market Will Go Ahead As Exciting Announcement To Come Next Week
EDINBURGH’S Christmas market WILL go ahead despite organisers pulling out just weeks ahead of opening.
We told on Wednesday how the annual festive event was thrown into chaos after the organisers notified the city council they would not be able to fulfil the contract.
Edinburgh, Christmas Market in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland.Credit: GettyFears that the popular Christmas bash – set to start on November 19 – would be axed completely were sparked after the German firm Angels Event Experience ended their involvement.
It left council bosses scrambling to find an alternative, with discussions being held with two other companies over a rescue plan.
But council leader Cammy Day has now confirmed they’re confident they will be able to deliver the iconic capital festivities following the positive chats.
And an exciting announcement about the newly-proposed plans is expected next week.
Mr Day said: “Positive discussions are ongoing around delivering Edinburgh’s Christmas for the city this year and I’m confident we’ll be able to offer a great programme, including the ever-popular Christmas markets, funfair and some exciting new attractions.
“We’ll make a further announcement early next week once councillors from all parties have had the chance to view the plans.”
Unique Events and Assembly Festival are understood to be the firms who have opened up discussions with Edinburgh CityCouncil.
The Assembly organisation won the contract for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations and had previously bid for the Christmas festivities.
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The festive celebrations are due to run from November 19 to January 3 but it’s unclear whether events would have to be scaled back due to the short notice of the rescue plan.
Lothian Tory MSP Miles Brigg has said: “Now that the Council have been forced to admit that Angels Event Experience Ltd have been unable to deliver on their contract to produce Edinburgh’s Christmas questions shift to the decision by the then SNP-Labour council to award the contract.
“Residents across the Capital will want answers on why the contract has now failed and how and when and if the Christmas market and the other activities will be able to be delivered and what additional cost that will bring.
“It is also critically important for the council to provide transparency around the potential financial exposer local taxpayers will face and additional costs.
“I have written to the Chief Executive of Edinburgh City Council to seek urgent clarification on all these issues.”
It comes after an announcement earlier this month by Glasgow City Council who confirmed their festivities would not be going ahead.