This year’s Poundbury Christmas Market promises to be a celebration of the best local businesses as well as the festive season.
Coinciding with Small Business Saturday, the seasonal market will return to Poundbury’s Crown Square on Saturday, December 3 from 10am until 4pm.
There will be live music from the Rock Choir and the Durnovaria Silver Band, Father Christmas will be in his grotto and there will be 75 stalls selling everything from artisan crafts to delicious food and drink.
Founded by Magpie and Boo’s Toy Shop, two independent businesses in the Buttermarket, the Christmas market has grown significantly since its first outing in 2015 when around 20 traders took part.
Charlotte Fancy from Boo’s Toy Shop said: “This is a really special day for local businesses and there’s a great atmosphere.
“It’s great to see the wide variety of stalls and year-on-year this market grows.
“We’re really excited to have live music entertainment for the first time this year and it will be a lovely family day out. There’s always something for everybody.
“This year we’re working alongside Art in Poundbury, who are launching an exhibition in Jubilee Hall the same day.
“This is my favourite annual event. I’m very passionate about it, I love meeting the new businesses who are coming along.
“I can’t wait to welcome everyone to this year’s market, it’s been a difficult couple of years for many businesses. This market gives us the opportunity to celebrate all the amazing businesses around us on a very special day.”
Nail boutique Panemorfii will throw open its doors for the Christmas market and, as licensed premises, will be selling mulled wine.
Owner Deborah Bailey said: “We offer nail beautification for both men and women but with us it’s more like a spa experience.
“We’re licensed so our customers can have a glass of prosecco while we make their nails beautiful. “This is our first time taking part in the Christmas market and we’d love for people to come along and see what we have to offer while enjoying a lovely glass of mulled wine.”
Sadie Roberts of Lilypups Dog Accessories will make sure it’s not just the human market visitors who are catered for.
Lilypups will be opening its doors during the market and selling puppuccinos for any canine customers who may be flagging.
Sadie said: “Our puppuccinos are very popular now and we’re sure they will go down well at the market.
“We also sell a range of natural chews and treats as well as collars and harnesses – anything that your dog may need.
“We also have a grooming service with a dedicated grooming room. We sell mainly UK-based brands and try to be as eco-friendly as possible. We also have a range of Christmas treats for dogs, including toys and advent calendars. I’m looking forward to seeing everybody down there.”
Interior designer Nadine Judd of Punica in Crown Square said: “We make lampshades, curtains, cushions and everything for the home plus draught excluders, bags and clutches, clothing and shoes.
“People visiting the market and seeing my products for the first time are going to see a lot of colour and a lot of unique gift ideas.
“We make a lot of it ourselves and I source all of our materials personally to make sure everything is sustainable.
“We also sell a lot of vintage goods. We’re looking forward to reaching out to people visiting the market and helping them find the perfect, unique gift for a loved one this Christmas.”
And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without those magical scents which feast on our senses.The Rhubarb Candle Company has a new studio and shop at 3, Canford Street, next to the pink-doored Punica. While this family business may have a new studio, the company launched in 2016 after owner Andrew Whelan began experimenting, creating candles without using paraffin wax, which triggered his son’s asthma.
Now The Rhubarb Candle Company pride itself on using the best products available, achieving unrivalled quality complete with a commitment to sustainability.
The candles, diffusers, room sprays, wax melts, hand soaps and hand and body lotions smell divine and don’t cost the earth.
A spokesperson for Morrish Homes, who are supporting the promotion of this year’s market, said: “We are delighted to continue to support the Poundbury Christmas Market this year.
“We have seen the profile of this event grow over the years and hope that it will remain an integral part of the community in the lead up to the festive period. We also appreciate the hard work that goes into producing this successful event year on year.”
n For more information on the Christmas market, which is sponsored by ZeroC, email Charlotte Fancy at poundbury christmasmarket@gmail.com