With thousands flocking to Bath for the city’s annual Christmas Market, the Council has introduced additional security in line with similar initiatives all around the country.
This includes additional barriers being installed alongside new and replacement bollards, installed over the last month. This is designed to restrict access for vehicles, and make it safer for pedestrians to get around the city centre.
Councillor Tim Warren (Conservative Mendip), Council Leader, said: “These improvements are part of business as normal for the city. We are simply taking the prudent step of installing additional measures which are in common with those seen elsewhere in the country. There is currently no known threat to the city.
We want people to feel reassured and to enjoy visiting our city this Christmas and throughout the coming year.
“We have successfully operated CCTV for 25 years and we have more than 200 cameras. During that time they have detected crimes and ensured that visitors and residents continue to feel safe as they go about their daily business. We also have officers in town throughout the day, and taxi marshals in the evening so there is generally help on hand.
“All of this adds up to a co-ordinated approach to the city. I am grateful for the support of Visit Bath, Bath BID and Southgate Bath, who are integral to providing a joined-up approach to managing the city.”
David James, Chief Executive of Visit Bath added: ‘’As organisers of the Bath Christmas Market, Visit Bath works closely with partners to take all reasonable precautions to protect the safety and welfare of visitors attending the event.”
Guy Henderson, Centre Manager for SouthGate Bath, said: “Our top priority is the safety of all visitors to the centre all the time. We are pleased to be working closely with partners to continue to do this.”
Allison Herbert BID manager said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners at Visit Bath and B&NES Council to bring to the city a schedule of events and activities throughout the festive period that residents and visitors can enjoy.”
This year’s Bath Christmas Market is open from Thursday 23 November to Sunday 10 December, with an exclusive preview evening for residents Wednesday 22 November, 5-7pm.
Today – Tuesday, November 21st – Christmas Market organisers have been out giving the plastic covered concrete blocks a more festive look.
Hopefully, it will make them more obvious too to anyone about to trip over them?
Also, don’t forget Bath’s Covered Market – beside the Guildhall – is also preparing itself to join in on the festivities!
