Bumper Christmas Market at Kelham Island for anniversary year

A trio of anniversaries put on the pressure for this year's Victorian Christmas Market at Kelham Island Museum to be the best ever. Last year the market drew in an incredible 16,000 visitors over two days, but the event's organisers were not content to rest on their laurels, adding in even more stalls and activities for visitors keen to get a bit Christmassy at the beginning of Advent.

This year Kelham Island Museum celebrated its 30th anniversary, and also the 20th anniversary of its increasingly popular Christmas Market. However for a Victorian-themed event it was the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens's birth that really set the mood for the event. The major new attraction to the market this year was the 'Dickensian Emporium' quarter located in Kelham Square, an addition that managed to squeeze in an incredible 50 new stalls. Not only this, but as usual all stall-holders were turned out in Victorian-dress, and 'Dickensian Folk' perused the market alongside the public.

The market aims to spread a bit of Christmas cheer each year with a whole host of activities to get visitors in a festive mood. This year children were given the chance to meet Santa at 'Santa HQ' and watch Punch and Judy shows, there were traditional craft and skills demonstrations, and also frequent main stage performances by local brass bands and choirs, who filled the air with classic Christmas music.

It is however the market itself, with its countless stalls stretching in and around the museum, that is always the main attraction for visitors. Christmas gift shopping is made easy with so much variety, and many products are handmade locally by the stall-holders themselves. One such stall-holder is Jill Govier, a local woman whose business 'Touchy Feely Textiles' is going from strength to strength.

Jill set up her business in 2010 and runs stalls at various different fairs and markets. Her passion is "remodelling and recycling gorgeous old bits and bobs" and making handmade textile pieces from them, putting famous quotes or charming messages on them. This year Jill had a stall at Kelham Island's Christmas Market and for her it's the perfect way to raise awareness of her brand:

"From a stall-holder's point of view the Christmas market was a brilliant opportunity to meet my customers face to face. I work very much on my own for lots of the time, and although supplying shops with my things is good from a business point of view it means I don't get much customer contact\".

Having a presence at markets and fairs like Kelham Island's isn't just important for boosting the Christmas sales of Touchy Feely Textiles; it also indirectly strengthens the brand through the feedback Jill receives.

"Market stalls are great for this! I get a kick when I see people smiling about something when they've just read some of my quotes. I also take on board any criticism and suggestions that arise."

However Touchy Feely Textiles is just one of many small businesses exhibiting at Kelham Island's Christmas Market and this really highlights the hugely positive impact the event can have for local craftspeople. Just being part of the event gets them exposure, whether that's from the promotional work the museum does to encourage visitors or its Twitter feed linking to their websites, and then when the big weekend finally does roll around, there are thousands of potential customers constantly walking past your stall to entice.

by Alex Moore

Christmas fayre raises funds for animal rescue

The 8th annual fayre was held at the RSPCA (Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Sheffield Animal Centre on Saturday morning to allow people to enjoy shopping while funding local animals’ aid. 

This year’s Christmas Fayre had the largest number of stalls (more than 20) and the widest range of goods (more than 30 kinds)in the history of the Sheffield branch of the RSPCA. Goods on sale included books, cakes, crafts, bric-a-brac, pet supplies and refreshments for children and adults alike. There were also lectures, informal discussions, video showings and indoor games which are closely involved with animal protection and adoption. Participants were free to view animals there and meet some of the staff working at the centre.

About 200 people attended the event and it raised £2201.90, which is a new high in the branch’s record. This result is so encouraging that most volunteer trustees of the branch say they will continue to run Christmas Fayre in future years.

A volunteer of the Fayre tried to explain the reasons for this success: “This may be because of the increasing awareness of animal protection, the expanding influence of our branch and the improvement of publicity.”

“I love this event!” said Keith Towler, a fan of the Christmas Fayre, “It is a shopper’s paradise and a real recreation.”

“The event gives me an opportunity to make friends who hold the same passion as me to care for animals,” said David Miller, another animal defender.

Maria Swift, a new participant added: “I cannot wait to join this activity as soon as I heard it from one of my friends…because I think it necessary to support animal re-homing.”

The Sheffield branch of the RSPCA is completely self-funding, operating independently of the National RSPCA, the government and local authority. This means it has to pay for its activities through fund raising, donations and legacies.

“We used to depend on donations to prop up rescue efforts, but donators are usually unstable and limited. Caring for animals still lays heavy financial burdens on us. The Christmas Fayre can be a good solution to increase revenue by selling popular pre-Christmas goods,” said Louise Wilcockson, a staff in the RSPCA Sheffield branch.

However, the minority holds the view that funds raised from Christmas Fayrecan hardly cover its daily operational expenditure of more than £2000 over a long period of time.

“The Christmas Fayre cannot be the best solution to this problem, but it will not be the last one,” pointed out by Jane Hanna, “ Our E-bay shopping may be an alternative to raise funds needed.”

by Jiawen Zhou

Sheffield Christmas market is ‘not quite there yet’

This year's Christmas market, which has occupied Fargate in Sheffield city centre for the past two weeks, has received mixed reviews. 

After a boom in sales at the Christmas Light Switch-On, traders at the market have felt a dramatic drop in business as the event has gone on. From the 22 stalls available for hire this year, there are still two cabins unused and boarded up.

General information

• Sheffield Christmas market will be open until 24th December
• The market is open daily from 10am to 6pm (8pm on Wednesdays)
• This year's market includes a Moroccan market where you can find handmade goods from Marrakesh

With the market taking place on Sheffield's main high street, the traders have shared the traffic with the chain stores, but there is concern among the cabins that people are browsing, but not buying.

Fayaz Khan runs a jewellery and accessory cabin, which he has taken to Manchester and Birmingham Christmas markets in the past. Fayaz understands that Sheffield city centre is a smaller space than that of Manchester and Birmingham, but the lack of shoppers is causing concern. “Tryers are putting the hats on and looking in the mirror, but aren't spending,” he said.

Lewis Ayres, who runs a Christmas stocking cabin with his brother Dean, is also new to Sheffield's market. “Weekdays are no good”, Lewis said, “by the time the weekend comes, you make your money back, but then the week comes again and it's gone.”

One of the most popular stalls for the Sheffield market is the Cadbury's hot chocolate with Bailey’s cabin. Sarah Buttery who runs the cabin said “it is good that we've got something like this in Sheffield, because York and Leeds have them.” Compared to the bigger markets, however, she said, “it [Sheffield Christmas market] is just not quite there yet.”

Julie Wilson, Trade Co-ordinator and Consultant for Sheffield City Council, signed a three-year contract with the council, which means she will manage the Christmas markets until Christmas 2014. Julie said “we're hoping to just genetically grow rather than run before you can walk.”

However, some members of the public are disappointed with the extent of this year's market compared to previous years.  

Brandon Egley, Marketing Executive for GO Outdoors, is unimpressed by the size of this year's market. “There seems to be less of everything; less stalls, less food outlets,” he said. “It's not really a destination this year. It's a few stalls on Fargate and I can't imagine many people going out of their way to give it time.”

Student at The University of Sheffield, Carlota Calderon, said “it misses the Christmas spirit. I would like to hear some Christmas carols playing, some more colourful lighting and some ornaments in the stalls, like Christmas baubles or nativities.”

Julie confirmed that last year's market was considerably smaller, but said that “the year before, it was all in the Peace Gardens and it was a lot bigger. They had an ice skating rink and various food stalls, but it was a very bad winter with lots of snow and it wasn't commercially viable.” The market lost money in 2010 and was unable to bring the additional features back for 2012.

Christmas markets are becoming a huge feature for many cities across the country and they are relied upon more and more for unique Christmas gifts. “It's [the Sheffield Christmas market] always one of the best things about December,” said Brandon. “With all the markets we have over the year, I really thought Sheffield had embraced that sort of culture – but sadly it just hasn't happened.”

Julie understands that the market is not as successful as it could be, but her aim for the next two years is to learn from this year's flaws and do what she can to improve it.

by Laura Thompson