THE Leeds German Christmas Market has been cancelled for a second year running, due to uncertainty around Coronavirus.

So often a great source of excitement and whimsy for the people of Leeds over the festive period, the Millennium Square fixture was cancelled in 2020, due to the prevalence of Covid-19 around Britain and Europe.

And, despite planning to expand the event with further stalls for 2021, market organisers in Frankfurt have said that a decision to cancel has had to be made early, due to the uncertainty on what restrictions would be in place by December.

Leeds City Council says it understands the decision, and promised many other events over the festive period in Millennium Square.

Market director Kurt Stroscher said: “After providing a German Christmas Market for Leeds for so many years, I am so sad to have to cancel the event for a second time.

“As we are planning to bring in new stalls for Leeds, the decision on whether to go ahead with the 2021 market had to be taken very early, when it wasn’t clear whether the pandemic would allow the market to go ahead without significant restrictions.

“In order to make the necessary investment, we have decided to postpone the new-look market in order to avoid uncertainty and ensure that we offer the people of Leeds a high-quality event.”

The Christkindelmarkt, a collaboration between both Leeds and Frankfurt councils, is normally held between late November and Christmas. It featured shops, food stalls, rides and a Swiss-style chalet bar until its cancellation in 2020.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “It is obviously disappointing that the German market won’t be coming to Millennium Square this year but we understand the decision taken by our friends in Frankfurt and we wish them the very best.

“Working with our partners in Leeds, we will still be hosting festive events and food stalls on Millennium Square and other spaces around the city centre alongside a new programme of Christmas activities and music.

“We are committed to making sure Christmas in Leeds is an exciting and memorable one this year and will be announcing further details in the coming weeks and months.”