Police oppose Manchester Cathedral Christmas market plan

Police and council chiefs have criticized an application by Manchester Cathedral to hold a Christmas market.

The church wants to put up cabanas and bars along Cathedral Street, which it owns, on November 7.

But Greater Manchester Police (GMP) raised concerns about how “public safety will be managed and the exact area where the market will be located”.

Manchester City Council’s licensing team said there was no plan for how the numbers would be monitored.

The comments were published ahead of the June 19 meeting of the licensing subcommittee, which will consider an application for a temporary event notice.

An objection from GMP said: “There is no mention of how to deal with customers wanting to take alcohol from the area.

“How will they manage the public safety of customers along Cathedral Street if service vehicles come through?”

Manchester City Council added: “The application states it is for a maximum of 499 people, but the application does not state how it would be monitored (or) mention any provision to prevent customers leaving with their drinks.”

The one-day event is unrelated to Manchester Christmas Markets, which are organized by the council and take over areas of the city centre.

The cathedral said it made the request to “respond to any criticism or concerns and make sure we get it right.”

A spokesman said: “This year we would like to create a family-friendly Christmas village around the Cathedral and our intention is to work with the city council and the wider area to stage something that enhances the market experience for Christmas in our town.

“It will also contribute to the £1.4m annual running costs of our Grade I listed Cathedral.”