Feedback sought on St Albans Christmas market success

It finished only around a month ago but steps are already being taken to enhance the St Albans Christmas market in 2014.

The German-inspired market was held in and around Vintry Gardens close to the Abbey at Christmas and attracted thousands of visitors.

St Albans district council is now asking residents for ideas on how it can be developed into an even more popular tourist attraction.

Feedback has been obtained from stallholders, visitors and local retailers which is still being evaluated with a report due at the end of next month.

The council’s portfolio holder for community engagement and localism, Cllr Beric Read, said: “Our first German-inspired Christmas Market attracted 45,000 visitors who came from far afield, spending money in the market and in the wider local economy.

“Exhibitors sold a range of goods from bratwurst sausages to wooden children’s puppets and many have expressed interest in attending our 2014 Christmas Market.”

He added: “We learned some valuable lessons last year and now want to build on this. The aim is to make the market even bigger and better so that it becomes a must-see visitor attraction for people living across Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. Any ideas to help make this happen are welcome.”

Any views or comments on the Christmas Market should be emailed to Tourism@stalbans.gov.uk or tweeted to @StAXmasMarket by Wednesday, February 12.