Festive markets in Horsham will bring Christmas cheer

Horsham is set to celebrate Small Business Saturday with open markets full of Christmas cheer.

On December 5, the town will be alive with new business activity and great reasons to make the town a destination for your Christmas shopping.

Horsham District Council’s Buy Local initiatives, backed by our own #supportlocal campaign, will come together to boost Small Business Saturday UK this year, encouraging everyone to support their local independent businesses whether online or on the high street.

Horsham town’s markets in the Carfax and the Bishopric will get fully festive from this weekend with the return of non-essential stalls, perfect for gift ideas and additional Sunday Christmas Markets in the Carfax every week right up to the December 24.

Horsham District Council cabinet member for the local economy councillor Paul Clarke said: “It has never felt more important to support our local traders across the district this Saturday, adding weight to the national Small Business Saturday event.

“I am delighted that we are taking the opportunity on Small Business Saturday to pull together many aspects of our recently launched Buy Local campaign, including our ever popular WindowWonderland Christmas shop window decoration competition and, as a first this year, our hot chocolate competition to find out which outlet provides the best festive hot chocolate across the whole district.

“Together with our outdoor Christmas markets there will be plenty of opportunities to shop for locally produced Christmas gifts in a safe environment.”

Simon Teasdale of Food Rocks South who runs the Carfax markets added: “Come and join us at our markets throughout December for some wonderful festive shopping. We have lined up an exceptional range of locally crafted gifts, clothing, jewellery, homeware, plants, Christmas trees, card and decorations.

“Alongside this you will find a mouth-watering range of artisan produce and seasonal treats, from pies to sausages, organic fruit and vegetables, award winning fudge, cookies, cakes, mince pies, wine, spirits and local ales, jams, chutneys and of course Bartie’s legendary Christmas puddings!

“As ever there will be a wonderful mix of global street food with lots of winter warmers and festive surprises.”

On Sunday December 6 there will be a selection of stalls offering you authentic French produce (from locally based French traders).

Zac Coden, organiser of the Bishopric Markets, is also looking forward to presenting his Christmas markets.

He said: “Horsham General Market Christmas Markets will be open on the Bishopric this December with essential supplies and hot food to take away. We have appropriate social distancing measures in place and all our traders will wear masks. We also accept contactless payments.

“We have click and collect and home delivery options also available at https://www. tickettailor.com/events/horshammarket/453750

“Please do continue to support your local traders if you are able to, we really do appreciate it!”