Manchester Christmas Markets

[GShutty]

Originally Posted by GShutty

How about a stage with a brass band, or orchestra?

And as if by magic, last Thursday. Bagpipes and dums:

[nerd]

I found this report on the City Council site.

some interesting information about how the market is managed. Basically Frankfurt provide many of the stalls as a package - but then Manchester add some more of their own.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_do...Markets_1_.pdf

its a couple of years old, and I think the markets have expanded a bit since then - with the weekend stalls in Exchange Square, not Albert Square. By my own count last week, I would estimate that the Manchester market now has 190 'permanent' stalls, and a further 45 week-end stalls. That is still smaller than Lincoln (which has over 300), but that market only goes on for four days - not five weeks.

[jrb]

Manchester Confidential.

Markets get city moving
Fifteen per cent better than last year: welcome back you festive lovelies you

A little earlier this year we ran an article on how bare the city squares look when there isn’t a market occupying them (click here).

Footfall in King Street was up by 130% - a massive 185,642 people were counted compared to 80,511 the same week last year, making it King Street’s busiest week since counting system began in May 2006.

The temporary markets in a city centre have become a welcome part of city life. They make the streets more exciting, more colourful.

The proof of the pudding could be found this weekend when Manchester was bursting at the seams with Christmas market punters, passers-by and promenaders.

The city centre was swamped with hordes of people spilling off pavements and with traffic packing the streets. It was a bauble of frenetic activity.

You could feel the buzz.

Manchester’s own stats bear this out with record numbers reportedly beating a trail to the city centre.

There’s been an estimated ‘15% increase in traffic across all the eight market sites’ according to a city report. It goes on to say.

‘In the week beginning 15 November, footfall in King Street was up by 130% - a massive 185,642 people were counted compared to 80,511 the same week last year, making it King Street’s busiest week since the counting system began in May 2006.’

The figure of 1.3m who visited the markets in Manchester in 2009 seems likely to be smashed this time around. One figure claimed the overall impact of the Christmas markets on the city last year was £49.9m, again that should be smashed in 2010.

Not that everybody is happy

Confidential’s man about town, Sleuth (click here) overheard one curmudgeon in Thomas’s Chop House whinging about how busy it all was and how ‘bad’ the traffic was.

Sleuth jabbing him in the chest defined the word ‘city’ for him as opposed to ‘rural’ and pointed out that nine times out of ten Manchester’s traffic is nothing compared to say, Milan or Hamburg’s. Sleuth then explained how busy normally means income normally means jobs. Then Sleuth poured his pint over his head.

Ok he didn’t do the last of these actions.

But honestly some ingrates with the perspective of a flea eh?

The markets are simply a fabulous asset which it would appear most of us love. By any measure it’s one of those ideas which the city has honed and developed with skill and no little energy. Credit where credit’s due. (indeed)

[leeeroy]

VERY VERY busy in Albert Square on Saturday. They stopped letting people in at one point and they seem to have a one way system inplace so some areas you couldnt get out. This is with the extra market on King Street too!

During the evenings it is ok, no tourists and is a lot more relaxed

[Slow Burn]

The success of these markets is simply amazing. Everyday I see dozens of people taking photos of the Albert Square market. Really is a tourist destination and further enhances Manchester's reputation as a city that does things well.

It was lovely looking out of the windows at work today watching the snow falling on the market with all the roofs covered in snow. Looked like a genuine authentic little settlement

[neil]

Take a pic 2morrow please!!!

[WatcherZero]

Hows the snow in the City Centre? we want to take our Grandma into see them tommorow afternoon but if its too slippery/deserted obviously we cant. Here its just a lot of heavy frosts and ice with next to no snow at all.

[leeeroy]

not bad at all. main walkways are all clear and gritted. markets are fine also. some side streets slippy but you can definitley get around ok

[Slow Burn]

Yeah the city centre's fine. A lot of the snow on the pavements melted away today. Some of the areas with less footfall like the area around First Street is still quite treacherous but the markets are fine. They certainly won't be deserted that's for sure!

[Garibaldi773]

Originally Posted by nerd

I found this report on the City Council site.

some interesting information about how the market is managed. Basically Frankfurt provide many of the stalls as a package - but then Manchester add some more of their own.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_do...Markets_1_.pdf

its a couple of years old, and I think the markets have expanded a bit since then - with the weekend stalls in Exchange Square, not Albert Square. By my own count last week, I would estimate that the Manchester market now has 190 'permanent' stalls, and a further 45 week-end stalls. That is still smaller than Lincoln (which has over 300), but that market only goes on for four days - not five weeks.

The MEN reported on stall numbers, economic impact and employment a couple of weeks ago. The headlines were/are 300 stalls on eight sites employing 1,246 people. In 2009 apparently 1.3million people visited the marketing generating an economic impact of £40million.

It's time for mulled wine: Traders set out stall for Manchester's Christmas marketsPaul Britton

November 18, 2010

The sweet smell of mulled wine heralds the return today of Manchester’s much-loved Christmas markets.

This year there are more stalls than ever before – including a new French-themed market on King Street.

Council bosses say more 1.3m people visited the markets last year – generating £40m.

Stallholders from Germany, Holland, Italy, France, Poland and Switzerland will join local traders opening for business.

Organisers and engineers have been putting the finishing touches to the log cabin-style stalls all week.

This year some 300 stalls will operate from eight different sites, selling food and drink, jewellery, plants, fashion, cosmetics, photography, art and crafts.

The main European Christmas market will return to Albert Square with the German market once again on St Ann’s Square.

Other markets can be found on Brazennose Street, Exchange Square, Exchange Street and New Cathedral Street.

There will also be a weekend craft and gift market at The Triangle shopping complex. And the new French Christmas market, on King Street, will tempt the taste buds with crepes, wines and cocktails, alongside French soups and cassoulet. Authentic French pottery and herbs will also be on sale.

The Christmas markets have attracted visitors to Manchester from across the country for the last 12 years.

A council report revealed today that one in five visitors last Christmas went to the markets.

The economic impact of £40m was calculated by taking into account accommodation, visiting other city centre attractions, actual visitor spend, traders’ spending and employment generated by the markets.

The traders are set to employ more than 1,246 people this year.

Coun Pat Karney, city-centre spokesman, said: “This report confirms our position as number one for Christmas.

“People come from far and wide to visit our Christmas markets and the figures speak for themselves.

“They keep business booming in the city and are always a big hit with shoppers who love everything they have to offer.

“Many visitors agreed that the markets were the best that they had visited and that they generated a feeling of local pride, strengthening Manchester’s identity.”

The markets run until December 21. Stalls open from 10am to 8pm, with food and drink served until 9pm.

I have not been to any of the stalls yet, but I remember from last year there was an excellent goulash stall in Albert Square and a little stall with a guy doing a great demonstration of a garlic-grating plate (or something). Enjoy!

[JonH]

Originally Posted by Garibaldi773

a little stall with a guy doing a great demonstration of a garlic-grating plate (or something). Enjoy!

He's there again!

[Garibaldi773]

Originally Posted by JonH

He's there again!

Great!

[flange]

Markets under the microscope

David Thame

December 14, 2010

Manchester’s Christmas markets brought a £50m boost to the city’s economy last year, but their popularity could be concealing a crisis for many of Greater Manchester’s traditional markets, experts are warning.

Research conducted by DTZ and widely publicised by the city council revealed that in 2009 an estimated 1.3m people visited the Manchester Christmas Markets.

They generated £50m from visitor and trader spending during November and December.

However, DTZ is warning that traditional markets in places like Salford could be facing extinction if they are not given a re-think.

Russell Hefferan, associate director at DTZ, said: "Instead of reflecting the popularity of these seasonal markets, the reality is that many traditional indoor and outdoor markets around the north west are under threat from large retail developments.

"Since the opening of the Trafford Centre in 1998, nearby areas such as Salford and Altrincham, both of which have markets, have seen a notable decline in retail activity."

DTZ warns that the internet also provides a challenge to traditional markets, by offering bargain hunters online opportunities.

DTZ says that traditional markets should follow the examples set by Manchester’s Arndale Centre and Afflecks Palace.

"A leading example of how a market can be revitalised is the Manchester Arndale market, where investment by the landlord, Capital Shopping Centres, has helped to freshen its appearance and enhance the shopping experience," said Mr Hefferan.

"As part of the Arndale shopping centre, it also benefits from increased footfall and offers an unusual and refreshing range of fresh food stalls, an alternative to the standard shopping mall food outlets.

"Manchester’s Afflecks, an indoor market with a niche offer of local fashion retailers and a strong following among Manchester’s student population, is undergoing phased refurbishments by owner Bruntwood. Since these began in 2008, there has been an increase in tenants.

"Shoppers love choice, and local markets can survive alongside big retail offers, but only if they are able to redefine themselves with the required support and investment from local authorities and developers."

This year, eight Christmas markets are open in the city centre.

They include a new French market at King Street, the European market at Albert Square, a world market at Brazennose Street and a German market in St Ann’s Square.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...the_microscope

[flange]

Christmas markets toast a bonanza

Richard Wheatstone

December 22, 2010

Traders at Manchester's Christmas Markets are packing away after a record-breaking year.

Early estimates project the markets brought more than £50 million into the local economy and smashed last year's record of 1.3 million visitors.

Coun Pat Karney, Manchester city centre spokesman, said: “The Christmas markets get bigger and better every year, and 2010 will be remembered as a landmark year.

The markets began in 1999 with just 17 stallholders from Frankfurt in St Ann's Square This year, there has been around 500 stalls across eight city centre sites. Frank Seihl first pitched his sausage stall at the German Market in 2002, and after years of roaring trade, decided to settle in the north of England.

He said: “I moved to England because of the Manchester Christmas Market, it is a fantastic time of year for us.”

Rebecca Ward, of souvenir stall Manchester gifts, said: “It looks like it might be our best year ever, it's been really positive even though the weather's been so bad.”

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...oast_a_bonanza

[flange]

Markets on course for record year

Traders' tills bursting as visitor numbers increase

23/12/2010 09:54:31

Manchester’s Christmas Markets are on track for a record year in 2010, and could rack up more than £50m.

The eight city centre markets closed yesterday and early indications show it was the busiest year since they first appeared in 1999.

During the markets' opening weekend in November, footfall in King Street - where the new French market was located - was up by 130 per cent.

A massive 185,642 people were counted on the street, compared with 80,511 during the same weekend in 2009, making it King Street's busiest week since counting began in May 2006.

Around 40,000 gluwein mugs have been sold, and traders were forced to call in emergency supplies to make sure they had enough for the last few days.

The returnable mugs, which visitors pay a deposit for on collection, were introduced in 2008 because they are more environmentally friendly than disposable plastic glasses, but they have become collectables.

The markets even picked up coverage around the world. America's Frommer's travel website named Manchester as one of the top 10 Christmas market locations, alongside events in Barcelona, Vancouver, and Dresden.

Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester city centre spokesman, said: "The Christmas markets get bigger and better every year, and 2010 will be remembered as a landmark year.

Although it's too early to get any detailed figures for the number of visitors, the feedback we've had from traders is excellent and we are confident this year is the busiest we've had so far.

"We’ve attracted thousands of visitors from around the world, and even our mugs look set to become collectors' items.

"Mancunians should be proud that an American travel guide now places us alongside German cities which have been holding Christmas markets for centuries. In the space of just 12 years, Manchester's markets have become a truly international phenomenon."

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co...year_16473.asp

[jrb]

MEN.

Try the European markets for the great taste of ... Manchester

They offer a festive feast from the continent, with mulled wine from Munich, pastries from Paris and chocolates from Belgium. But the city’s famous Christmas Markets are actually as English as fish and chips.
Figures obtained by the M.E.N. reveal more than three quarters of last year’s stallholders, or 77 per cent, were actually from the UK.
Council bosses say they have always made it clear that most stallholders are from Britain, and the biggest stalls are from mainland Europe.
Their website describes the markets as ‘a truly international event with a uniquely Mancunian flavour’ and says that customers ‘enjoy the banter and advice of stallholders from all over the continent’.
The markets opened this year between November 18 and December 21.
Chalet-style stalls were put up at eight different spaces across the city centre and included a ‘French’ market on King Street, a ‘European’ market in Albert Square, a ‘German’ market in St Ann's Square and a ‘World’ market on Brazennose Street.
But figures obtained from the authority show that just 23 per cent of stallholders come from outside Britain.
A total of 15.5 per cent are from Manchester, 30.5 per cent from the north west and 31 per cent live elsewhere in the UK.
City centre spokesman Councillor Pat Karney defended the markets.
He said: "We’ve always made it clear that the majority of stallholders are UK-based, and the markets provide a great opportunity for small local businesses to showcase their products.
"However, the biggest traders and largest stalls are from mainland Europe, which is why our phenomenally successful markets have such an authentic continental feel. The markets have also been set up to make sure the large amount of money generated stays in the Manchester economy."
Council bosses said last year’s markets were the busiest since they started in 1999.
The 23 per cent of traders not from the UK came from Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

[flange]

Christmas Market named best in UK

Manchester’s Christmas Market gets top award

02/02/2011 16:01:41

Manchester's Christmas Market has been named the Best Market Attraction 2010 by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).

The award, presented by broadcaster Nick Owen during a ceremony in Birmingham, came after judges viewed entries from across the UK.

A NABMA spokesman said: "This year's winner is a truly wonderful Christmas market rivalling any on the European continent and increasing the footfall and economic activity in the city substantially each year."

Last year's market is thought to have been the busiest since the attraction first opened in 1998.

Throughout December, footfall on King Street, where a new French market was located, more than doubled.

A total of 886,659 people were counted on the street, compared with 420,428 during the same period in 2009.

This is the second award the market has received over the past year. The attraction also won the Tourism Retailer of the Year prize at last year's Manchester Tourism Awards.

Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester city centre spokesman, said: "We've known for years that the Manchester Christmas Market is the best in the UK, so this comes as no surprise to us, although we're grateful for receiving this award.

"The market attracts thousands of visitors to Manchester from all over the world, bringing valuable money into the city, and they have received international recognition.

"It was listed as one of the top 10 destination markets by the US Frommer's travel website, above destinations such as Barcelona, Vancouver and Dresden – whose market dates back to 1434."

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co...n-UK_16872.asp

[Saul Silver]

Guten tag

Cant wait for the German markets this year.

I will be growing a moustache and will wear a big furry coat.

I cant wait to get my hands on that strong German beer whilst eating sausage and pancake.

Danke

[nosey]

Saw the 23% catching the 26 in the morning last year. I can imagine the stall holders now "english no understant, Ich spreche Deutsch" whilst gazing in awe at the woman with 7 kids and the packet of fags from Wythenshawe.


By all means have the market but don't sell crap.

[flange]

Stall-holders head home after record-breaking season for Manchester's Christmas markets

December 24, 2012

Traders at Manchester's Christmas markets have been packing up – after what is being hailed as the most successful year ever.

Millions of shoppers flocked to hundreds of stalls over the past five weeks to buy festive gifts and sample seasonal treats such as gluhwein, bratwurst and pork sandwiches.

Town centre chief Pat Karney - who was on hand to help traders pack away - said that visitor numbers were expected to smash all previous records.

Stallholders also saw their busiest single shopping day ever on Saturday, December 1, with 85,000 visitors flocking to the markets.

An estimated 1.8m people visited the stalls in Albert Square alone this year - up from 1.5m in 2011.

The markets are held across eight sites including Exchange Square and King Street

Traders from as far afield as Lapland and Transylvania are now making their way home after the final closing of the market at 6pm last night. (SUN)

But they are already looking forward to next year's markets – when Manchester will celebrate 15 years since the arrival of the festive wonderland at the heart of the city.

Coun Karney said: "This year's market has broken all sorts of records. I have spoken to many of the hundreds of stall-holders and I haven't heard one of them say they are not planning to come back next year.

"We are acutely aware that it is tough economic times for many people but Mancunians never fail to celebrate Christmas in style.

"Many families, mine included, always make a point of coming down to the markets to soak up the fantastic atmosphere."

The Exchange Square site - newly expanded with a 16ft-high windmill, bratwurst grill and beer garden replacing the Manchester Wheel, which closed earlier this year - will remain open over Christmas until next Sunday, December 30.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...istmas-markets