SKIPTON'S Christmas Lights Switch-On and its two Christmas Markets saw around 75,000 visitors in the town across three consecutive Sundays.

That remarkable footfall has undoubtedly given the town’s traders a big pre-Christmas boost, says Skipton BID manager Geraldine Thompson.

She says the financial support given by the BID to these events has played a vital role in their success.

“Would these events still happen if there was no BID? Probably. Would they bring in as many people? Unless money could be found from other sources, which is very unlikely, then no, they wouldn’t bring in anything like as many people,” she said.

“We want to keep supporting events like this, and to keep promoting Skipton nationally and internationally to bring in even more people to see the special businesses we offer – the unique shops, and the wonderful cafes, restaurants, and pubs."

That can only happen with a Yes vote for the BID, she added.

All businesses who are BID levy payers will take part in a ballot in January to decide whether Skipton BID gets its third five-year term.

Geraldine stressed that as well as the events that would be lost or reduced in scale, the BID also supported Skipton In Bloom, the Crime Reduction Partnership, CCTV cameras, town centre street improvements, and much more, and all of these would either be lost or dramatically downsized if there was no BID.

“Traders do seem to have had a good Christmas this year. That’s great news for them, but it also benefits the whole town; businesses and services that rely on local spending will see this money filter down to them,” she said.

“That is why the work the BID does is vital for everybody who lives, works, shops, visits, or trades in our wonderful town.”