November 26, 2012 10.22 am This story is over 135 months old

Lincoln Swedish Market will create jobs

Market jobs: A number of students in the run up to Christmas gained jobs creating the upcoming Swedish Market in the city centre.

A new Christmas-themed market in Lincoln planned for early December will create up to 40 new jobs over the festive season.

Lincoln BIG’s Swedish Christmas Market and Santa’s Grotto in St Mark’s Square will be held between December 6 to 9, and is the first of its kind in Lincoln.

Lincoln BIG Events and Promotions Manager Michael Armstrong said: “We are delighted to reveal that the market will offer part-time employment for up to forty young people in the Lincoln area.

“This attraction will be the culmination of months of endeavour by Architecture, Design, Drama and Illustration students from the University of Lincoln, commissioned through the Student Job Shop.

He added: “Lincoln’s diverse and growing range of markets are really helping to put the city on the map and we believe the Swedish Market will be another winner, which will become a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike.”

Lincoln BIG hopes the market will be popular enough to not only run it annually, but also start a Swedish “Midsummer Festival” in June.

Manager for Swedish Markets, Mathew Clarke said: “”his year marks the first Swedish Market in Lincoln and it will take place over the same period as the uphill Lincoln Christmas Market.

“The Swedish Market will consist of ten, timber-built, traditional little Swedish “houses” as stalls, and the gardens will host Santa’s Grotto [open from December 6 to 23] where Mother Christmas and Father Christmas will be ready to greet young children with a warming cup of Blueberry or Rosehip soup.”

Clarke added: “In an age of plastic toys, computer games and generic fast food, we are going to be offering traditional handcrafted wooden toys, authentic traditional Swedish foods and drink, artisan chocolates and handmade gifts and crafts.”

“Our Santa’s Grotto will tell the story of Christmas in Sweden through the eyes of a Swedish woodmouse named “Gustav”. Each child will get a sapling Christmas tree, to be planted in their garden, included in their gifts. They will also get the opportunity to interact with “Gustav” long after Christmas is over.

“We are looking for authenticity, quality and value in everything that we offer.”