Small scale Christmas Markets are set to open this week in Manchester City Centre
The markets in Piccadilly Gardens and St Ann’s Square will invite independent local traders in Manchester and across the region who would have been part of the city’s usual Christmas markets, offering visitors a seasonal alternative to the high street.
The Piccadilly Gardens markets will include the usual street-food traders, along with a range of craft and gift stalls, and is open now until Wednesday 23 December – 10.30 until 7pm.
Ann’s Square will welcome some of the usual Christmas Market favourites for two long weekends (Weds 9 December to Sun 13 December / Weds 16 December to Sun 20 December) and will be open from 10.30am until 7pm.
The weekend markets will be strictly managed to limit the number of people who can access the stalls at any one time, using a one-way traffic system to ensure social distancing can be always adhered to.
Outdoor markets can trade under the Government’s Tier 3 Covid-19 guidelines.
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “We know people were so disappointed to hear this year’s Christmas Markets could not go ahead. Public safety must be at the heart of everything we do, and we could not put on our usual world-class event while keeping people safe.
“Since then, we have been looking at ways of supporting the Christmas traders at an important time of year for their businesses, while also attracting people to the city centre in a safe an manageable way.
“Our Winter Markets have attracted some of the city’s – and region’s – top makers and traders, who provide a real alternative to the high street.”
