November 15, 2012 2.53 pm This story is over 135 months old

More local choice at Lincoln Christmas Market

Love local: More local businesses will be among the 280 stalls at the larger Lincoln Christmas Market this year.

More local businesses will have stalls at this year’s Lincoln Christmas Market.

Discounts of 15% and 10% have been offered to county traders to encourage them to be among the 280 stalls taking part in the four-day event from December 6 to 9.

Around a quarter of the stalls at this year’s market will be from Lincolnshire, as the initiative has seen a 20% increase in local businesses applying to take part.

City Council Events Officer Holly Parker said: “”While some traders have been familiar faces for visitors over many years at the market, this year will see several local companies taking a stall for the first time.

“Among the newcomers will be Steep Hill Wines who will be selling their special spiced cider infused with orange liquor from their stall in the grounds of the Lawn.”

Another first timer on the market will be new Lincoln-based online business The Cosy Nest who can be found on the new Cathedral site at the market.

Their stall will feature a variety of home and garden gifts including a newly launched range of microwaveable soft toy characters and dolls, warm and cosy bears and re-heatable hand-warmers.

The 2012 Lincoln Christmas Market will have an early start on Thursday, December 6, from 12pm instead of 4pm.

The market will then be open until 9.30pm on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th (10am start), and then on Sunday 9th from 10am to 7pm.

In response to crowd control issues at last year’s Christmas Market, the City of Lincoln Council is changing the layout of the event.

A redesigned layout in the Castle grounds should give visitors more space to move around.

Stalls will also be located around the Cathedral east green, between Bailgate and Newport, and along Eastgate.