St Albans City & District Council have apologised after a misunderstanding saw the city's Antique and Vintage Market cancelled.

The city centre market will now not go ahead on Sunday, November 19, to make way for the local authority's Christmas Cracker event instead.

This year's Christmas Cracker had been in doubt, due to financial considerations, and as a result the date was offered to the Vintage Market.

However, the market's organisers were later informed that the Christmas event would, in fact, be taking place as usual and that the date was no longer available.

The council have confirmed that other Sunday dates in November have now been offered.

Herts Advertiser: The market runs on the 3rd Sunday of each month, except November.The market runs on the 3rd Sunday of each month, except November. (Image: Bigstock)

Jennifer Titmuss, who runs the Vintage Market, told The Herts Advertiser that she had been publicising the dates of her events "very widely" over the past year, and that she feels the market's treatment has been "shoddy".

She continued: "I can't begin to explain how disrespectfully and cheaply the council treat the market, when it brings so much to St Albans on a very broad and general level from more business and visitors to added interest in the city."

Chris Traill, strategic director for community and place delivery at St Albans City & District Council commented:  “The Vintage Market is held on the 3rd Sunday of each month, except in November when the Christmas Cracker usually takes place. 

Herts Advertiser: St Albans Council have apologies for the misunderstanding.St Albans Council have apologies for the misunderstanding. (Image: Archant)

“Due to a misunderstanding earlier this year about whether the Christmas Cracker would take place or not due to financial considerations, the date was offered to Jenny for the Vintage Market.

"When it became clear that the Christmas Cracker was to take place as usual in November, Jenny was informed and offered other Sunday dates in November instead. 

“We have apologised to Jenny for the misunderstanding.

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"We greatly appreciate the choice that the antiques market brings to the residents of our District and the additional footfall that it attracts to the city centre.

"We are pleased with its continued success and look forward to maintaining our support for it in the future.

“When choosing the date of the Christmas Cracker, which attracts thousands of people, we have to be mindful of other Christmas events around the district so that we don’t clash with celebrations elsewhere.”