St Albans Christmas market is under new management and set to become a “winter wonderland.”

In past years, the market has been criticised for its small scale, early closing times and cost.

It came in for particular criticism in 2017 after it was found it had lost increasing amounts of money every year since its launch in 2013.

Councillors blamed this on the decreasing number of chalets let to traders, as well as the market’s early closing times and the fact it shut down a week before Christmas.

But this year, events firm Meraki is taking over the management of the market and including it in its larger Christmas festival.

It will open the market until 11pm Thursday to Saturday, letting out more chalets and moving it from the Vintry Gardens by the Cathedral to the larger events meadow at Verulamium Park.

Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, who is responsible for business and community at St Albans District Council, said: “Vintry Gardens was a lovely setting, but the space was limited. By moving to the events meadow, we have a lot more room to expand into.”

It is hoped moving the market to the more open events meadow will allow for more traders as well as food and drinks outlets.

According to a council spokesperson, Meraki will also be organising additional attractions at Verulamium Park to create a “winter wonderland”.

There will be an ice bar, funfair rides, a high-tech Santa’s Grotto and a range of live entertainments.

Kerry Marks, founder of Meraki, said: “Our event will be packed full of festive experiences and the beauty of Christmas. Community is at the heart of what we do at Meraki, so the event will be free to enter and will have something for everyone.”

The changes to this year’s market came after the council held a consultation with visitors, traders and other people connected with the market.

The main feedback was that they wanted a better location, more entertainment, later opening hours and more chalets selling high-quality produce.

The council has also pledged to ensure strong links with the city centre are established so that its shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes continue to benefit from extra visitors attracted by the market.

Cllr Gaygusuz said: “It is vital that city centre businesses are boosted by the extra visitors the market will attract and we are looking at various ways of ensuring people are encouraged to go back and forth to both areas. We want the whole local economy to benefit.”

Meraki’s Christmas festival will open on Friday November 30 and run until Saturday December 22.