www.findamarket.net – *** NEWS ***

From the 9th to the 23rd December, for the first time Swindon will have a German-style Christmas Market.

The Location is in the very heart of the town, in Wharf Green next to House of Fraser, the Brunel Shopping Centre, the Big Screen and the Town Christmas Tree.

In the last couple of years Swindon has undergone a very tasteful renovation and Regeneration making it a very delightful city to visit and shop. Swindon has the unique position of being the main city within a 20 miles radius thus an excellent location for a Christmas Market. A 12 page Christmas Brochure with information about the Christmas Markets and calendar of events will be produced in September.

The Christmas Market will be made up of 40 to 50 wooden chalets beautifully decorated with the town Christmas tree as a background. It is anticipated that Swindon Christmas Market will attract even more footfall in the town then the 325,000/Week recorded as an average during December 2009.

The exhibitors attending the Christmas Market will be from Germany, France, Italy and the UK. Traders will be selected for the very high quality of their products, and the stylish way in which they present their chalets.
The Christmas Market is being organised by inSwindon BID Company Ltd and Brunomart French & Continental Markets both of whom are eager to ensure that Swindon Christmas Market and the visitor experience is of the very highest standard.

During the Christmas Market there will be a daily programme of festive music and carols to add to the traditional feel of the Christmas Market.

DATES
Thursday 9th – Thursday 23rd December 2010

OPENING TIMES
10am – 6pm Sunday – Wednesday
10am – 9pm Thursday
10am – 8pm Friday & Saturday

MARKETING

Christmas Brochure: A 12 page brochure with information about the Christmas Markets, calendar of events, late night shopping, and full details on events, activities and children’s competition will be produced in September. Brochure distribution will be a mixture of Street Team and DHL

Towns receiving the Brochure: Bradford on Avon, Calne, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Devizes, Fairford, Faringdon, Hungerord, Newbury, Malmesbury, Marlborough, SWINDON, Trowbridge, Wantage, Wroughton, Wootton Bassett

Newspaper Advertising:
Swindon advertiser; October/November/December
Swindon News; November
Swindon Link; November
Scene magazine; October & November
Ocelot; November

Radio Advertising with:
Hart 97.2 & 102.2 reaches a potential 220,000 listener in Swindon and local area with 58 % female and 38 % of ABC1 group.

Web Advertising:
www.swindontowncentre.co.uk
www.thebrunel.co.uk
www.theparade.co.uk
www.swindonweb.com
www.swindonlink.com

Town Centre Marketing:
A1 poster to go at the Bus Station
Newsletter
What’s on Guide October, November and December
Christmas character distributing the Christmas Brochure
Big Screen “Wharf Green”: Christmas animation through November & December.

External Town Centre Marketing
Use of Borough banner sites: Great Western Way, Drakes way and Old Town
Bus Wraps: Thamesdown Buses
Free Bus Travel on Thursday with promotion of all activities on both Stagecoach and Thamesdown
Fly postering around the Borough in conjunction with the Cristmas Funfair
The Brunel Shopping Centre has arranged with National Express Bus for a drop off point in the town centre to increase footfall from out of town

Information for Exhibitors

CHALETS
They are “Barn Door Style” chalets – those where the two doors open out wide – and each chalet will measure 3m x 2m. If any exhibitor specifically would prefer a counter top chalet, this may be possible on application.
Each chalet will be equipped with 2 x 13A electrical sockets and lighting.
The Chalets will face each others with plenty of room at the front for people to move around. There will be room behind the chalets for some stock, but it should not be considered to be a storage area.

CATERING CHALETS
We have 5 large ‘counter top’ catering chalets available for hire. They measure 4.5m x 2m and have 3 hatches at the front and a door at the side. They are only available to hire for the entire duration of 15 days.

SECURITY
Wharf Green is covered by CCTV camera at all times. During the Christmas Market from closing time to opening time the next day, a professional security guard will be on duty. Each chalet will have a padlock, and each stallholder will have 1 key. Also during this time of the year the local police up their vigilance in this area.

PARKING FOR EXHIBITORS
The Council intends to provide free parking for all exhibitors very near the town centre, we will have precise details and confirmation soon.

ACCOMODATION
We can look into a group discount at the local Travelodge or Menzies hotel If enough traders wanted to stay.

SETTING UP
Exhibitors will set up on Wednesday 8th December and take down after the event on Thursday 23rd December.
Those only doing the first 7 days will need to take down at 8pm on Wednesday 15th December and those doing the following 8 days will need to set up early on Thursday morning 16th December to be ready by 10am.

STOCKING UP
You will have access to your chalets in the mornings and evenings for replenishing stock. The times will be strictly defined because the area is a no vehicle access at all other times.

OTHER FACILITIES
Toilets are available nearby; it will be pointed out to you on arrival.
Rubbish will be collected everyday by The Town Council. Exhibitors must ensure they keep the fronts of their chalets clear from rubbish at all times and keep their chalet looking presentable.
Heaters. Only PAT tested electric heaters will be permitted

COST OF CHALET
Standard chalet £120 per day if you book for 7 or 8 days.
Standard chalet £110 per day if you book the full 15 days.
Catering chalet £175 per day and has to be booked for the full 15 days.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A CHALET
- Chalet will be awarded on a first come basis
- Priority will be given to exhibitors booking the all 15 days
- Please fill in the application clearly and with detailed information about your product
- Include any images or photos that will help support your application, being directed to a website will not be accepted in lieu of samples or hard copies of images
- Include a copy of your Public Liability Insurance
- Post your application to arrive no later than Saturday 25th September 2010

WHAT SORT OF EXHIBITOR / PRODUCT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We want the Christmas Market to be inspiring, tasteful and beautifully presented. We are looking for exhibitors who have quality products which can’t be found easily find on the average high street.
We want exhibitors that will present their chalets in a stylish and tastefully festive manner, and who will merchandise their stock in an elegant and polite way.

PAYMENT
You are required to send in 3 cheques with your application, 2 of which will be post-dated. The first is a non-refundable deposit which will be cashed only if your application is successful.
Depending on the number of days you are applying for the cheques will be as follows:
Standard Chalets
15 DAYS 7 DAYS 8 DAYS
Cheque 1: £600 £400 £400
Cheque 2: £600 £240 £360
Post-dated 15th October 2010
Cheque 3: £450 £200 £200
Post-dated 15th November 2010
Total Paid £1650 £840 £960
Catering chalets
15 DAYS:
Cheque 1: £1000 use as deposit Cheque 2: £1000 post-dated to 15th October and
Cheque 3: £625 post-dated to 15th November 2010. Total Paid £2625

Cheques made payable to “Bruno’s French & Continental Markets” If your application is unsuccessful, your 3 cheques will be disposed of safely or returned to you. (Please enclose a SAE)
CANCELLATIONS
If you are accepted for a place at the Christmas Market and have to drop out for any reason the following will apply:
Cancellation prior to 1st October: 50% refund of money paid (minus deposit)
Cancellation after 15th October: 25% refund of money paid (minus deposit)
Cancellation after 1st November: Full payment will be retained. No refund possible.

Address to post cheque
Bruno’s French & Continental Markets
7 Buckland Road
Lower Kingswood
Tadworth
Surrey
KT20 7DN

Bruno Girardeau
07789 937446
Email: Bruno@brunomart.com

Source; Nottingham Post

THERE could be no German market in Nottingham this Christmas, the Post can reveal.

The city council believes it can bring something “bigger and better” to Old Market Square.

Plans may include the return of the outdoor ice rink, though this could be moved nearer the fountains.

The English craft market, which stood alongside its German counterpart, could remain.

Council leader Jon Collins said the move was part of an attempt to freshen up the festive period in the city, adding the market could become “boring”.

Coun Collins had previously praised the market, which has been in the city for six Christmases, for creating “the right kind of family atmosphere”.

Alternatives being looked into by the council include fairground rides and a craft market.

Coun Collins said: “If you do the same thing time and again, it gets a bit boring so what we’re trying to do is something bigger, better and different.”

Coun David Trimble, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and customers, said the German market was not as large last year as it had been previously.

He said: “We’ll try to make something as popular as the beach [in Old Market Square last summer]. We’re trying to look at something bigger than the German markets.”

Residents of Nottingham have expressed disappointment at the news. One said: “It’s got a feel-good factor.”