Sparkling success as thousands enjoy Marriotts Walk Christmas market

Councillor Duncan Enright, Executive member for Economic Development, said:

“The Christmas market was a great success for both traders and local shoppers. The three-day event increased footfall by 60% in the town compared to 2022.

“We also saw shoppers spending more time in the town, going from 130 minutes shopping to 240 minutes, again compared to 2022 figures. The decision to hold the market was the right one and we are already planning more events in the future.  Together with our plans to rejuvenate the regular market, we see these events as an important way to support the town centre.

“The local markets attract good visitor numbers, creating footfall that benefits various businesses in our towns such as shops, restaurants, cafes, and pubs. They contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of the town, provide value for customers and can potentially serve as a cost-effective avenue for starting a new business or earning income during challenging times. Reviewing how we manage the local markets is crucial in our efforts to boost the local economy.”

Olly Stevenson, one of the traders who attended the market with business, Jessie’s Art Shed, said, “We thought the market was fab! The cabins were lovely, the stalls were varied and fun and the cost was just right for small businesses as we find a lot of other markets can price themselves way too high for businesses to afford. We thought everything about the event was lovely. We had a lot of people who visited saying the same too! Footfall was great and the location was perfect. Great to see that area busy and being used!”

During the Christmas market, approximately 15,000 shoppers visited the Marriotts Walk shopping centre which was a 59% increase on the same period in 2022 and a massive 70% increase on the previous week’s visitors.