THE ORGANISERS of this Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market have confirmed that the popular festive event will not take place this year.
The decision about the market, which runs from November and December and attracts around 5million visitors-a-year, has been taken because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
This will be the first year the market – which first took up its place in Victoria Square and New Street in 2001 – will not be held.
Kurt Stroscher, Frankfurt City Council’s Director of Festivals and Events, said the decision had been made with a very heavy heart.
“We have carefully explored all possible options, because of its importance to the public, traders and local economy but the health and safety of visitors had to be our top priority.
“Christmas markets like this are a place for socialising and ‘cosy closeness’, which couldn’t be offered with social distancing and hygiene rules introduced to help protect people from Covid-19.
“Consideration was also given to the possibility visitors might not adhere to the social distancing rules and behave in ways that they have been used to in the past.
“Under no circumstances did we want the Christmas market to become a place that promotes the pandemic.
“Therefore, the right decision could only be to not bring the market to Birmingham this year.”
He added the organisers would now concentrate on a return for the Frankfurt Market in 2021.
Birmingham City Council leader Coun Ian Ward added: “The Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of Birmingham’s great festive events, attracting millions of people to the city centre – so it is disappointing we won’t be hosting the market this year, but I welcome the organiser’s decision to put the public’s health and safety first.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in planning and staging the market who works so hard, all year round, to make this such a well-run and special festive event.
“In the meantime Birmingham is still open. Christmas will look a little different this year so we can all enjoy it safely – and we look forward to seeing the market return for its 20th year in 2021.”
