Victorian-themed market aims to boost commerce following storm cancellation

A Christmas market with a Victorian theme is scheduled to take place in a Kent town this weekend, aiming to stimulate commerce one week after a well-attended yearly festival was called off because of Storm Darragh. The Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival, alongside the town’s regular festive market, was canceled for Saturday and Sunday following a Met Office alert for strong gusts. Typically, coach excursions transport attendees to this gathering from afar, and the town’s thoroughfares are commonly filled with tens of thousands of individuals. Shane Waterman of the Rochester City Centre Forum stated that while the event’s cancellation was appropriate, it had been “devastating for businesses.” He informed BBC Radio Kent: “Some have spent tens of thousands of pounds expecting the footfall, which didn’t happen. “One cafe owner I spoke to was in tears as he had bought in 1,000 extra sausages,” he said. According to Mr Waterman, businesses, in collaboration with Medway Council, have dedicated days to devising strategies for recovering a portion of those financial setbacks. He commented: “We’re going to do as much as we can this coming weekend as the weather is looking a lot better.” Retailers situated along the high street are to be extended an invitation for Saturday and Sunday to don Victorian attire and establish outdoor stalls, he mentioned. Mr Waterman added: “We’re turning the clock back to how the Rochester Christmas market started in 1977.”What we can’t do is a reset of the Dickensian festival. That can’t happen.” A representative for Medway Council stated: “We really want to support local businesses, costumed characters, stallholders and performers as much as possible for the final weekend of Rochester Christmas markets.”