In the market for fine festivities
NEWCASTLE’S FESTIVE SEASON KICKS INTO LIFE ON SATURDAY WITH THE EXPANDED CHRISTMAS MARKET. SIMON MEECHAN REPORTS ON WHAT SHOPPERS CAN EXPECT
CITY-CENTRE streets will be closed in Newcastle for more than a month to make room for the expanded Christmas Market.
This year’s event will be bigger than last year’s, with stalls and attractions set to pop-up on Blackett Street and Northumberland Street, as well as the Greys Monument area. Buses, cars and motorbikes are now banned from Blackett Street until December 28.
Parts of the market will be open until the New Year, although sections of it will cease trading from Christmas Eve.
Mellors Group is organising the market and will work alongside NE1, the city’s Business Improvement District (BID). Attractions will include a helter skelter, a 30m toboggan slide and a traditional carousel. Street food stalls and bars will also be open, including Après Ski, which has an Alpine theme.
There is a whole host of entertainment booked over the Christmas period too, ranging from festive songs in the daytime, to electric violins, musicians and artists in the evenings and weekends. Edward Mellors, a director of the Mellors Group said: “We are looking forward to getting Christmas under way in Newcastle. “With the new attractions and an even bigger market, it will have all the trimmings to make Christmas in Newcastle a memorable experience.” Stephen Patterson, director of communications for NE1 said: “Christmas is a special time of year for Newcastle
With the new attractions, it will have all the trimmings to make a memorable experience
Edward Mellors
and the city really comes alive over the festive season.
“From the Fenwick Christmas window to Skating at Life, the Grainger Market and the Christmas Lights switch-on, there’s always lots going on in the city.
“As the North East’s number one retail and leisure destination, it is right that the city delivers a festive offer that we can all be proud of.
“This year’s Christmas Market will be a huge part of this. It signals a step change in the city’s approach to Christmas, something we are excited to build upon in the years to come.”
NEWCASTLE CHRISTMAS MARKET OPENING TIMES:
■The Christmas Market will be open from 10am - 9pm;
■The shopping stalls and attractions will be open from Saturday until Christmas Eve
■Food stalls and bars will be open from Saturday until New Years Eve.