– Over 360,000 visitors but losses announced
Despite losses estimated at 150,000 francs due to the reduction in supply, this ninth edition of the Christmas market remains a success, according to the organizers.
Published today at 12:52 Updated 1 minute ago
Bô Noël in Lausanne will certainly return for the tenth edition in 2024.
Keystone/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT
Despite the reduction of the offer under pressure from restaurateurs, Bô Noël Lausanne managed to attract more than 360,000 visitors, against 420,000 in 2022. With 39% catering, 46% boutiques/creators and 15% entertainment, the 2023 formula demonstrated “the public’s sensitivity to a lively, festive and plural Christmas market”.
“If the announced losses are confirmed – they are estimated at 150,000 francs – this ninth edition is undoubtedly a success from the point of view of attendance and the enthusiasm shown by the public in Lausanne, Vaud and passing through,” they stated. organizers said in a press release Monday. They highlight “an avalanche of support following the restrictions imposed by the Municipality of Lausanne”.
“It’s a relief. We are very happy. It worked well, even better than expected. We were less optimistic a month ago,” Olivier Gallandat, communications manager at Bô Noël, told Keystone-ATS. “The loss was expected, it was anticipated. We will find solutions,” he explains. According to him, the budget for 2023 amounts to around 1.8 million francs.
Accused of unfair competition
Compared to previous editions, the number of bars has been reduced, the hours shortened and the “silent party” on December 31st, which generally brought together 3,000 people, has been cancelled. These measures, announced at the end of October by the Municipality, were adopted to respond to criticism from the city’s restaurateurs, who accused Bô Noël of unfair competition. The City spoke in particular of a “rebalancing” following requests from the umbrella organization GastroLausanne and the association “Who will pay the bill?”.
The main innovation this year was the creation of a 20 meter long toboggan run in Place Centrale, using snow recovered from the Malley ice rink. A 15 meter high tree, decorated with giant balls, was also installed in Saint-François. Among the new features are also an “ethical and sustainable” market and a train that will connect Flon to the City.
“Despite being closed for several days due to rain, the toboggan run welcomed more than 20,000 children to the valley. With more than 36 local creators presented in a new 200 m2 environment, the new Boutique des Créateurs broke all records”, underline the organizers.
Place du Château less attractive
The situation is more contrasting for the Place du Château, which has “lost in attractiveness” despite the Great Wheel and the Vaudois Igloo. “The musical atmosphere was missing everywhere and meant that the event lost some of its magic,” those responsible also regret.
“Despite all the pitfalls of this edition that began on November 21, Bô Noël ended on a high note on Sunday evening thanks to the burning of the cathedral bell tower organized by the Friends of the City association. More than 5,000 people flocked there to celebrate the New Year,” they wrote in their press release.
They also announce that a meeting took place in January with organizations that defend the interests of Lausanne restaurateurs and traders “to make the 2024 edition a unifying and imaginative celebration in the image of the city of Lausanne”.
“We already have ideas to propose to meet their expectations. Possible solutions also with the Municipality. You have to sit around a table and talk to each other face to face,” observes Gallandat. It is said “certainly” that there will be a tenth edition in 2024.
ATS
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2024-01-01 11:52:15
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