A Merry Christmas for everyone? Accessibility at the Birmingham Frankfurt market.

It’s been a fun tradition across the country, and the continent, to host large festive markets when it ‘tis the season. Birmingham’s is constantly rated as one of the best in the UK with dozens of stalls, shops and even a large Ferris wheel and fairground rides strewn across the city.

But is the event fun for everyone? Well apparently, it hasn’t always been. In 2019 disability publication World Accessible Holidays rated the Birmingham Frankfurt market at 10th place in the country, but this year it has been crowned the best across the board. What are the major changes that have caused this? And does it really hold up.

The event, which started in 1997 to celebrate the city’s twinned status with Frankfurt, Germany hence its name and since then it has only grown. Going from a small 10 stall event to the multi-million-pound investment it is today.

We spoke to Emma Brady from Birmingham City council about the event, and the 3 major changes they made to make it more accessible.

Firstly, their main priority was having the event spaces step free, which they achieve by having multiple entrances and exits to the event spaces, with ramp access throughout the event, since 2020 there have been no stairs required to enjoy the market.

Secondly, the attractions such have the big wheel have more options for disabled people, with better training the staff stationed there can help disabled guests have a magical experience on one of the country’s biggest ferris wheels.

Finally, a high priority for the council was making sure there was enough accessible parking for the event, and this year they have over 100 blue badge spaces for those who need that extra step to get to the event.

In short, the council have made strides in accessibility over the last 5 years+ in making the events they host more accessible, and the Christmas market is a great example of that. Comparatively, other large events such as London’s winter wonderland, could learn a few things from Birmingham’s own market, especially in terms of accessibility.

Taking place at Hyde park, winter wonderland has several flaws with its accessibility, such as the lack of wheelchair accessible routes and a smaller number of attractions for non-ambulatory disabled people. Winter wonderland needs to look at the competition, to change their focus and make sure anyone can enjoy the event.

Birmingham Frankfurt Market has led the industry in accessibility, and its time the competition catches up. Whether you’re disabled or not, the market is open for you until January 4th.