St Nicholas event in York brings in £10m (From York Press)

St Nicholas event in York brings in £10m

10:26am Saturday 12th December 2009 in York means business By Jeremy Small

TOURISM chiefs say this year’s St Nicholas Fayre was “the best ever”, estimating the event brought about £10 million pounds into York’s economy.

Visit York said the fayre was the best for the number and quality of markets and events happening around the city, such as the presence of members of Deliciously Yorkshire selling local farm produce. A Visit York spokeswoman said: “The quality of the event is continuing to grow year on year.”

The organisation estimated around 150,000 people flocked to the four-day Christmas event, which took place from November 26 to 29.

It calculated the economic impact of the fayre, which has been running since 1992, based on visitor spend and spend on overnight accommodation was around £10 million.

The event, which was organised by City of York Council, boasted an array of markets across the city centre featuring gifts and crafts from across Yorkshire and the UK. Visit York said people came from across the UK to visit the atmospheric market festival, including from the Midlands, the North West, the South East, and Scotland and Wales. Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, said: “This year’s St Nicholas Fayre has proved as popular as ever with visitors and residents alike, and continues to be a major highlight in York’s Christmas calendar. “York’s festive season continues until the end of December with the Festival of Angels this weekend, the International Christmas Fayre in Parliament Street running until December 20 and the Farmers Market on December 22, as well as a whole host of other festivities running across the city.

“With so much to offer visitors at this time of year, we’re confident that York is set to have a very successful Christmas season.”