Twilight Markets will not be featured as part of ABC Council’s programme of Christmas events this year, it has been confirmed.
While Christmas light switch-on events will still be going ahead in towns and villages, the council has said a “fresh approach” to Christmas celebrations was needed after a “holistic events review” was carried out.
The artisan Twilight Markets, which have been popular in previous years, host local food and drink producers, alongside arts and gift stalls, and help usher in the festive spirit.
In the ABC borough last year, Twilight Markets accompanied Christmas light switch-ons in a number of areas, including: Portadown, Lurgan, Banbridge, and Dromore.
The Twilight Markets had previously been described in council literature as “much-loved” events that “create that special Christmas buzz, encouraging everyone to soak up the jovial atmosphere”.
A number of traders had raised concerns about the proposed cancellation of the Twilight Markets and ABC Council confirmed the move when approached by Armagh I last week.
A spokesperson said: “Council will deliver another spectacular programme of Christmas light switch-on events in six main urban centres and seven rural villages across the borough this year in partnership with local communities. This will consist of the light switch-on events and a suite of festive family-friendly entertainment.
“When the festive period ended last year, Council asked key stakeholders to provide feedback and suggest any changes they would like to see. It was agreed as part of a holistic events review that a new fresh approach was needed for festive celebrations. The decision was taken not to feature twilight markets in this year’s programme. This will again be reviewed at a later stage.”
Nicky Jackson is a small business owner, alongside her husband Andrew. They run the Tandragee-based Jackson Roze, an artisan drinks production company.
Her business has taken part in the Twilight Markets for the last two years, and it was hoped they would be able to attend one this year.
Nicky told Armagh I she was “very disappointed” to hear the Twilight Markets would not be held, as they provide much needed footfall for small businesses in the Christmas period.
“It’s very disappointing, not only from a business perspective, but also from a family perspective,” she said. “It’s something that we went to even before we were in business.”
Nicky says she has contacted council to voice her concerns.
“I have contacted them to say about our disappointment because, especially for small food producers in the borough, this was one of our major sources of income for the Christmas period.
“It was really important. Our business is mainly popular at Christmas because of the nature of the product and the fact that it’s a Christmas tradition. From that perspective, it was a key time of year for us to be out. There was big footfall.”
She added: “Anyone I’ve been speaking to has been of the same opinion that it is a disappointment and a challenge for small businesses coming into Christmas.
“It allows them to get through the first part of the year where there’s very little happening. We would welcome a turnaround on it.
“We weren’t consulted in the decision either. We weren’t aware there was even a decision to make on it.”
