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Manchester Christmas Market stalls ordered to stop selling alcohol over the weekend
Stall holders at Exchange Square were forced to withdraw alcoholic beverages after large groups descended upon the city
Stalls at the Manchester Christmas Markets were ordered to stop serving alcohol on Saturday night amid fears of crowd trouble in the city centre.
All food and drink stalls on Exchange Square were told to stop serving any alcoholic beverages from 6:30pm on Saturday, November 20th, instead of their usual closing time of 9pm.
According to stall holders, Manchester City Council’s market officers said the restriction was just a temporary measure while things ‘calmed down’ in the city centre following a number of incidents, including a ‘disturbance’ outside of the Printworks which has since developed into a murder enquiry.
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An anonymous stall holder told the Manchester Evening News: “I think the authorities were getting worried, there were some big groups out in town.
“We were told we had to stop serving booze at 6.30pm, while things ‘calmed down’ but they didn’t calm down, it just got busier and busier.
“But we were still able to sell food and then close as normal at 9pm.”
Councillor Pat Karney, city centre spokesperson for Manchester City Council, addressed the restrictions, saying: “We apologise to anyone who was hoping to have a glass or two of Gluhwein and enjoy themselves at the Christmas market in Exchange Square last night.
“But unfortunately, following a period of sustained anti-social behaviour by a group of people in and around the market in the early evening, a decision was taken by the market manager to temporarily suspend the sale of alcohol on that site.
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“We’re very pleased to say however that Gluhwein is back on sale again today and everyone who wants to come along and enjoy our world-famous markets is very welcome.
“The health, safety, and well-being of everyone visiting the Christmas Markets always comes first and we won’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to ensure this.”
The Christmas markets, which officially reopened at a number of locations across the city centre on Friday November 12th, have proved to be overwhelmingly popular this year, with thousands of people descending upon them throughout the last week alone.