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Christmas Deutsch-mart was a 'disaster'
8:50am Tuesday 23rd December 2008
Comments (15)THE Bavarian market in Southend town centre has been called “a disaster” by an opposition councillor.
Lib Dem leader Graham Longley said the market, which was open from mid-November until Sunday bore little resemblance to the genuine article in Germany.
Mr Longley said he was also disappointed by a lack of German traders selling their wares and the amount of litter left behind.
He said: “If we can’t match the real thing, then the administration should forget it.
“The recent market often had little more than five stalls serving food. The German content was limited and the High Street was left littered and in a mess.”
The wooden market stalls sold German sausages, waffles, stollen cake, and traditional gifts, while a pyramid bar sold German beers, mulled wine and hot drinks.
But after visiting two German markets earlier this month in Bremen and Oldenberg, Mr Longley said he was certain Southend’s version had little to do with Bavaria.
He added: “The beauty of a real German market is something to behold.”
But he said he was “disappointed and saddened at the poor effort” in Southend.
But bosses at Southend Council said the market had not cost the council a penny and had attracted people to the High Street.
John Lamb, deputy leader of the council, said: “The market has attracted quite a few people who have enjoyed it very much.
“The traders seem to be doing a good trade and they wouldn’t be if people weren’t enjoying it.
“There was no more litter than we would get anywhere else.”
Mr Lamb said the market was operated by a recognised company which provides Bavarian markets across the country.
Southend Council’s town centre manager, Marzia Abel, said: “It did not cost us anything to organise, but generated income for us and added to Southend’s Christmas attractions to encourage as many people as possible into the town.
“At least half the stallholders were from Germany.”
Your Say YourEcho
Southchurch Steve, Southchurch says...
11:31am Tue 23 Dec 08
It was free and added something to the otherwise dreary High Street. I don't think the litter can be blamed on the traders can it?
Stop moaning.
The Bratwurst were fantastic.
Soozie, Southend on sea says...
11:56am Tue 23 Dec 08
The litter was no different than any other litter on the high street.
Graham Longley is a twit. If he likes the markets in Bavaria so much - he can go live there.
sav25, Leigh-on-Sea says...
1:08pm Tue 23 Dec 08
lol "opposition" counciller - why even listen? he has a not-so-secret agenda!
Rick Jones, Southend-on-Sea says...
1:55pm Tue 23 Dec 08
Many of the people on the market had come from Germany spending weeks away from thier familys.
Longley should back such plans and not rubbish them.
but then again he is a Lib Dem and they do want us talking German and spending the Euro.
bubwaah, Westcliff says...
2:46pm Tue 23 Dec 08
APR, Thundersley says...
3:30pm Tue 23 Dec 08
These are combined French/German markets, and are extremely popular.
Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea says...
3:56pm Tue 23 Dec 08
But The councils claim that "it had attracted people to the High Street" maybe a classic bit of spin, and if i'd of been part of a family that made a specific journey to the high st expecting a Bavarian Market i wouldve been not best pleased to put it politely.
evilc, essex says...
5:04pm Tue 23 Dec 08
Why not have an Islamic December market next year that would be more politically correct and in keeping with the hidden agenda of most politicians.
Shalom!!!
Beth the original one, Hawkwell says...
7:30pm Tue 23 Dec 08
Mr Longley you were a fantastic teacher, but i think you are a little out of touch on this, The geography is simple, of course the bavarian markets are better in bavaria, they have been there years. It will take years of constant use for southend to even match up. Oh and dont blame this market for the litter, have you walked up southend high street on a normal saturday after the shops have shut, there is litter everywhere, so that is nothing unusual.
charlie croker, Canvey Island says...
8:33am Wed 24 Dec 08
evilc wrote:Shalom is Yiddish (Jewish), I think the word you are seeking is Salaam,
Mr Longley
Why not have an Islamic December market next year that would be more politically correct and in keeping with the hidden agenda of most politicians.
Shalom!!!
Mr. Pedantic, Rayleigh says...
9:57am Wed 24 Dec 08
Bremen and Oldenberg may have wonderful Christmas markets but neither of them are in Bavaria.
I hope Mr. longley was not a geography teacher!
SARFENDMAN, Rayleigh says...
2:26pm Wed 24 Dec 08
Soozie, Southend on sea says...
2:52pm Wed 24 Dec 08
Southend High Street is grim. Too many coffee houses, too many mobile phone shops. There is no variety at all. The clothing shops resemble jumble sales.
I like support my local community and shop in town but until it offers more than the usual tat, then I'll take my business elesewhere.
southendreb, southend says...
9:31pm Thu 25 Dec 08
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JuliaM, Essex says...
10:07am Tue 23 Dec 08
It is hard to see what trinkets in football team colours and the most god-awful 'paintings' I've ever seen in my life have to do with Bavaria.
The food was good, though. Just a shame about the litter..