THOUSANDS of people are expected to visit the city centre for the four-day Worcester Victorian Christmas Market.

It is one of the biggest events for the city with coach loads of people arriving to enjoy stalls, entertainment and food beginning on Thursday.

Last year the fayre had to be cancelled because of the covid pandemic so retailers in particular are looking forward to the boost it will give their businesses after a difficult two years.

Amid the joy at the return of the popular fayre is the shadow of the increasing covid infection and news of the omicron variant.

However, organisers do not expect this to lead to a drop in visitor numbers to the outdoor event.

 

A spokesman for Worcester City Council said: “People are very excited about the return of the Victorian Fayre, and we are expecting and prepared for large crowds.

"So far we are seeing no sign of people changing their plans because of the new Covid variant, with coach bookings still coming in and a very positive response on social media.

"This year’s Fayre has been organised with the public’s safety as the number one priority, taking into account the recent update to the Covid rules.

"We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of residents and visitors to Worcester’s biggest festive event."

The fayre opens at 12pm and will run from Thursday until Sunday with a street market featuring 200 stalls, street entertainers and the funfair.

Entertainment begins on Friday with performances by St Barnabas Primary School children at Bell Square at 12pm followed by children from Red Hill Primary School performing at Cathedral Square from 12.30pm.

There will be an opening ceremony followed by street entertainment including stilt walkers, Gin Lane and Scrooge.

Also returning is the fairground with the traditional carousel, helter skelter and ferris wheel and well as more modern rides.

It comes as Health Secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid said today (Wednesday) that people should carry on with their plans for Christmas.

However, he has urged partygoers to take a covid lateral flow test before attending events.

Mr Javid said people should continue following Government advice despite warnings from some health officials over the risks of socialising during an interview with Sky News.