[Updated] Coventry's Christmas market opens tomorrow

[dutchman]

Coventry's popular Christmas market will open tomorrow in the city centre.



And this year the Coventry Business Improvement District is giving local firms and entrepreneurs the chance to trade for free.

The stalls - which will be based in Broadgate - have a range of different products to offer, from handmade jewellery, Christmas gift wrapping, personalised prints, tea and cakes, Indian street food and a fully licensed bar.

Visitors can enjoy a snack, have a mulled wine or hot chocolate, relax in the festive atmosphere and look for unique gift ideas.

The market stays open until 9pm on late night shopping Wednesdays and after 3pm parking in all city centre council car parks including West Orchards and the Lower Precinct is free.

Andy Talbot, chairman of Coventry BID, said: "Our aim this Christmas was to create a unique and interesting market that also supported local businesses and entrepreneurs.

"Not only will you be able to pick up locally produced products, you will also be supporting local people and our local economy, in addition the area looks fantastic with the wooden chalets we have provided to the traders and our newly installed Christmas lighting scheme."

[dutchman]

We had a Xmas market on the Spon End estate a couple of years ago, it was brilliant. It brought an otherwise dead estate to life in the evening and gave the local kids a place to congregate instead of getting up to mischief. The only thing which puzzled me is where did they get the electric power from?

[dutchman]

Coventry's Christmas market opens in city centre



Mulled wine, handmade gifts and a banquet of tempting treats are adding fuel to Coventry’s festive spirit with the return of the city’s Christmas market.

This year, wooden cabins filled with an array of yuletide products are lined up in Broadgate - with even more stalls in Smithford Way.

Shoppers can buy everything from handmade jewellery and cushions to personalised prints, and traditional tea and cakes to Indian street food.

And if the Christmas shopping gets too much, there is even a fully licensed bar.

While some stalls have returned to Coventry after several years of trading, there are also some new faces on the market.

James Brewer and his fiancee Julia Craig are the owners of Kulcha Club - a new Indian street food business.

The Coventry pair have added a new twist to the traditional nan bread with a selection of creative fillings - from haggis and potato to chicken with sage and onion.

“We are newbies to the market,” said James.

“This is the first one we have ever done. Although it is a little quiet right now, because we only set up a couple of hours ago, we are confident it will get busier tonight.

“This year’s Christmas market looks great and there is a fantastic selection of stalls and businesses here. I think it is going to be very busy over the next two weeks.”

But if you fancy something a little more traditional Emma Urquhart of the Little Vintage Cake Company is on hand with her tea and flavoured cakes and brownies.

She said: “I am Coventry born and bred and I attend a lot of events across the region. I am hosting a tea party for around 100 people at FarGo Village soon.

“But I really like this year’s Christmas market - the design looks great and I think it will attract a lot of shoppers.”

If you are looking for a unique gift this year, then look no further than Sixpenny Craft.

Leamington businesswoman Kelly Dawe has a selection of handmade cushions and lampshades as well as a selection of sweet-smelling candles.

“Everyone is so friendly and I have had a lot of people coming to look at the stall,” said Kelly. “I think they like the fact that my products are so unique - these are presents you will not find in the big department stores.”

One trader who is expecting to get most of his custom in the evening is Hayden Rankin, who runs Coventry’s H&R’s Deli.

The company has taken a stall selling mulled wine, alcoholic hot chocolate and coffee and winter cider.

Hayden said: “Obviously the day time is not that busy for us, but we are confident that that will change later tonight. People will be out for late-night shopping and what is better than mulled wine to get you in the festive mood?”

And as well as small independent traders, there is also a Marks & Spencer stall stacked with Christmas chocolates and shortbread and shoppers can also enjoy a glass of German beer and a bratwurst.

In Smithford Way, hungry shoppers can enjoy a Mediterranean treat from Ridha Essalah, who has returned to Coventry market for the fourth year to dish up a mouth-watering meal of chicken and rice.

“It takes about two hours to cook the meal,” said Ridha.

“By 12pm it is ready and it usually gets very busy at lunchtime. I really like being here for the Christmas market because the people of Coventry are very friendly and they really seem to enjoy the food.

“It is always a good market and I know that it will be busy right up until Christmas.”

And the shoppers seem to agree.

Kirsty Walden, aged 19, from Whoberley said: “I came into the city centre to do some Christmas shopping and I saw the Christmas market. I think it looks really good and although it’s a bit quiet right now, I think it will get really busy later today.”

Monika Gierszawska travelled from Rugby with her 11-month-old son Axel and 12-year-old niece Patrycja.

Monika said: “I really like the look of the market and I think it will probably attract a lot of shoppers.”

[rebbonk]

I wonder what the regular market stallholders and regular all year round food providers think?