Artisan makers and independent caterers from across the South West are being invited to apply for pitches at Bath’s iconic Christmas Market – which for the first time in its 20-year history will run for 25 days.
Pitches with options on 11, 14 and 25-day trading are available while the market’s organisers are also offering ‘start-up’ options to help new business.
The market is ranked in the top 10 in Europe and attracts around 400,000 visitors a year. In 2019 – the last time it was held – it added an estimated £32.5m to the city’s economy.
This year Bath & North East Somerset Council is investing £27,200 on improving the chalets and, with Covid-safety measures for stallholders and shoppers, the number will be reduced from 205 to 161.
This will allow more space for visitors to move around market site, which will have a similar footprint to 2018/19 with the re-introduction of the areas around Bath Abbey.
Pitch fees are being advertised at a reduced rate to reflect the challenges many small businesses have faced and there will be some very short-term pitches for traders who are either starting out or have always wanted to sell at the market but did not enough stock or were unable to attend the full duration of the market.
The council is putting an emphasis on sustainability by encouraging local artisan, locally produced food and good-quality products. Single-use plastics are not permitted and all stallholders must use environmentally-friendly biodegradable alternatives to common single-use plastic products such as product packaging, bags, bottles, straws, containers, cups and cutlery.
the market, which is being extended for an additional week as part of the council’s commitment to support stall holders and traders as they recover from the impact of Covid-19, will launch with a residents’ night on November 24 and finish on Sunday December 19, giving stallholders additional trading days.
Cabinet member for children and young people, communities and culture, Cllr Dine Romero, pictured, said: “The market generates a huge amount of interest from traders and food outlets both locally and further afield our Christmas market team is now sending out invitations to apply for a pitches which are always in high demand because of its popularity and high footfall.
“Sustainability is important to the council and this is reflected in the application process. For example, stallholders must declare where food products and ingredients have been sourced and how they will promote UK growers and producers.
“We all know the market has huge boost not just to the stall holders but also to our retail, accommodation, hospitality and tourism sectors and this year it will play a critical role in helping business get back on its feet.”
The council will continue to monitor government Covid advice very closely throughout the planning and delivery stages of the market and the health and safety of residents, visitors and all those participating is, and always will be, the utmost priority.
Express planning permission is not required this year, due to changes in legislation which allows councils to deliver market events.
Traders can apply here: bathchristmasmarket.co.uk/get-involved
