Northampton’s inaugural Chinese New Year celebrations saw thousands of people enjoy traditional entertainment and Southeast Asian food at the Market Square this Sunday.
Market Square footfall figures show more than 7,000 people visited the Market Square this Sunday – an extra 1,300 people compared to the previous Sunday (22 February). The figures also reveal an increase of 39 per cent in footfall compared to the same Sunday in 2014 when 5,177 people visited the Market Square.
The event, which was organised by the local Chinese community with the support of Northampton Borough Council, saw traditional dragon and lion dances, acrobats and martial arts demonstrations alongside food stalls celebrating the best of Southeast Asia.
Harry Mau, co-owner of the Oriental Garden restaurant and on the organising committee of the celebrations, said:
“I was delighted at the success of the first Chinese New Year celebration in Northampton and the way local communities turned out on the Market Square to enjoy a fun and colourful event. I am grateful to Councillor David Mackintosh and the council for giving us this opportunity in Northampton and we would like to do the event again next year and make it bigger and even better. It is important that local
communities in Northampton come together to celebrate events like this and show that Northampton
really is a fantastic place to live in, work in and visit.”
Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said:
“The celebrations were a huge success and it is encouraging to see how many people came in to the Market Square to not only enjoy the event but also all the facilities the town centre has to offer. A big thank you must go to Harry Mau and the Chinese community, the University of Northampton and Aspers Casino for their part in the celebrations.”