Christmas market to be 'biggest and longest'
Preparations are being made for the biggest and longest Bath Christmas Market in the event's nine-year history.
Organisers at the marketing body Bath Tourism Plus are adding an extra week to the city centre extravaganza - and finding space for another 20 stalls.
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Last year's market - which was visited by around 225,000 people - lasted for 11 days and featured 117 stalls, 67 of which were taken by Bath firms.
Now BTP has started the search for businesses to take a total of 137 stalls over an 18-day period.
Tourism officials say they want new traders to keep the event fresh and exciting for visitors.
Last year, the market - which was first held in 2001 - was voted the fourth best such event in Europe by users of a specialist website, www.christmasmarkets.com.
Event manager Victoria Spriggs said: "As the Christmas Market is being extended there is an opportunity for more traders to get involved and we're encouraging new retailers to apply for stalls at this year's event. The focus is on local products and businesses so we're really keen to hear from potential traders in and around Bath."
Already 90 per cent of last year's stallholders have applied for places at this year's festival, which once again will be held in the streets around Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths.
BTP says it wants to give preference to people selling local, hand-made or fair-trade products, and that its team wants to see a mix of high quality items including Christmas decorations, gifts, toys, jewellery, clothing and food.
Chief executive Robin Bischert said he was encouraged by feedback from stallholders and by the level of repeat applications.
"We feel that this is a good measure of the success they have in meeting their sales and marketing objectives. It also shows potential businesses who may be interested in taking part that the Bath Christmas Market is a great opportunity to sell to a huge number of people."
Provisional dates are November 25 to December 12, and the scale of the market will have to be agreed by a council licensing committee.
Application packs are available at www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk or by ringing 01225 396417. The deadline for applications is Friday March 26.
Meanwhile, a new tourism group is being launched later this month.
The Business Tourism 4 Bath group will be launched at the Royal Crescent Hotel on Wednesday March 24.
Its launch will be addressed by the new head of marketing at BTP, Chris Astbury.
To find out more, email info@fab-1.org.uk
9 Comments
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by Rational, thinker
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 3:29PM
“I am with Bahhumbug here, I looked around the market and it did appear to me that many products were quite dear for what they were!
I do see the bigger picture though, I know Bath needs the market to bring all the xmas tourists to our City.
My main bug bearer is the traffic at the weekends, especially if there is a rugby match on at the same time! I pray that the council saw the article the paper did on the congestion at xmas and will FULLY prepare this year! )i doubt it though)”
by Bahumbug, Bath
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 6:52AM
“Over priced tat is all I saw! It was a crowded shambles. All that was missing was Bill & Ben and Little Weed!”
by James, Bath
Monday, March 15 2010, 1:22PM
“Well, I guess that that '90 per cent' of last years stallholders have reapplied for this year suggests that it must be economically viable and also confirms what some on hear don't appreciate i.e. that it takes a considerable amount of time to organise, so you have to start early.
My critisism of the Bath Christmas market has always been that it isn't actually that good when compared to others that I've been to in the UK and on the Continent. I'm hoping that the organisers won't try to shoe-horn more (and possible even smaller stalls) into an already crowded space. I agree with PW's comment about how it would be good in my view to have more of a genuinely German feel to what is originally intended to be a German Christmas market.”
by LP, Bath
Sunday, March 14 2010, 4:20PM
“Quite right, correspondents, let's get through the winter, Chronic! Anyway, I fail to see how any of those businesses make any money in that crazy Christmas market; it's ghastly to get around, the goods are well priced but nothing special that you can't find online; at best it's some publicity for Bath and the business with a high profile.
I have worked several London markets some years ago, and can assure readers that it's no fun in the wintertime and most traders are smart enough to know when enough's enough and a good thing has gone; I would be surprised if the organisers actually manage to fill this extended market.”
by PW, Bath
Sunday, March 14 2010, 11:17AM
“For the second year running I was physically unable to get into the xmas market and gave up. By contrast, the Manchester equivalent is spread over 3 sites and was much more enjoyable to visit because of this. Also, it featured several German style beer and sausage style pubs, and ran into the evening for late night shopping.”