Christmas markets set for a cracker

Jessica Beckett

November 19, 2009

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MANCHESTER'S Christmas markets are open for business with more stalls than ever before.

Despite the wet weather, shoppers packed into the city to take advantage. Once again Albert Square hosts the biggest market with traders from all over Europe selling speciality food and drink.

Old favourites include the singing Christmas reindeer, while the German beer tent will also make a welcome return.

There are also stalls on St Ann's Square, Brazennose Street (which features a new Christmas village and dining area), Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street and Exchange Square.

New for 2009 is a market outside The Triangle - selling arts, crafts and festive gifts every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - and Piccadilly Gardens hosts a Real Food market on December 11 and 12 with a Christmas food market from December 17 to 19.

Coun Pat Karney, the city centre spokesman, said: "The markets are bigger than ever and you'll need an hour or two to get round all 400 stalls."

The markets are open until December 21.

Shoppers in Wilmslow have been left disappointed after plans for their town's first ever continental Christmas market were scrapped.

The three-day event was booked in the hope it would boost Christmas spirit and encourage shoppers. Wilmslow Business Group pulled the plug when negotiations with Cheshire East Council hit deadlock over funding.

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said considerable time and support was given.

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Chris Shelmerdine , Hulme. (19/11/2009 at 13:34)

This is the fourth story in a matter of days from the M.E.N about this overpriced market, is the M.E.N on a advertising bonus, or nothing else to report...

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER (19/11/2009 at 13:40)

Is there a better city than Manchester I dont think so, I cant wait to go the the markets over the weekend well done to Manchester City Council for the excellent lights switch on, I took my children age 13 and 14 to the ice skating at spinningfields the staff there were so helpful, having just returned from Rome which was full of graffiti and litter Manchester is clean and mostly litter free.

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER (19/11/2009 at 13:41)

Bah humbug to Chris

-------------------------- -------------------------, ------------------------------------- (19/11/2009 at 13:58)

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER
Manchester clean and litter free? You must walk around with your eyes closed.

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER (19/11/2009 at 14:17)

I see the street cleaners in the city centre doing an excellent but thankless task,the city centre compared to other large cities is very clean I look forward to going to the markets from a very proud mancunian

-------------------------- -------------------------, ------------------------------------- (19/11/2009 at 15:01)

I agree with you JERRY that street cleaners do a thankless task. This I think is due largely to dirty filthy scruffy smokers, who seem to think it's ok for them to throw their cigarette ends on the ground instead of in a litter bin.

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER (19/11/2009 at 15:46)

I concur ban smoking and chewing gum problem sorted !

Is It Me? (19/11/2009 at 16:48)

So it is a smoking market? I just may attend,unless Leese's storm troopers are there feeling collars!

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER (19/11/2009 at 17:04)

In a crowded market with narrow walkways who would want to be next to someone puffing away not me, I am not a reformed smoker just never have been a smoker and dont want to smell or inhale anyone elses second hand smoke or have my coat burnt as has previously happened. Ban smoking everywhere apart from your house or your car feel free to puff away to your hearts content sorry I mean detriment.

Careless Whisper (19/11/2009 at 18:22)

JERRY THE CAT: You posted 5 pathetic comments. This article is about Manchester Christmas markets. Not YOU!
As the clown who labels all smokers. Dirty filthy and scruffy. Say it to my face you cowardly cyber-bully of whom has to hide behind your keyboard.

Looking forward to going to the Christmas markets. A good time will be had by all. Good for all and good for Manchester. Get into the Christmas spirit you miserable gits.

Is It Me? (19/11/2009 at 19:16)

Jerry the cat. Agreed,I am an ex smoker but it is the control freakery I object to,not the smoking.Councils and do gooders invade every part of one's life,ref the woman who was fined for feeding ducks,last week. Don't know what your vices are but let's assume you jog. Councils will say that it is bad for your legs and ankles and you may knock someone over whilst running,so they may ban it---- except in your own home! I kid thee not!

Scoobydoo, Manchester (19/11/2009 at 19:54)

Clean ???????? Maybe when the street cleaners have just visited, but I'm afraid it doesn't last long, and that's without the chewing gum stains all over the place !

curiousyellow, Rusholme (20/11/2009 at 08:05)

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER
19/11/2009 at 17:04

But you're quite happy inhaling away all the car and bus fumes?
A bit hypocritical don't you think?

JERRY THE CAT, MANCHESTER (20/11/2009 at 09:43)

Please dont iclude me in the cybe bulling comments, I hardly ever post on sites puts me off now, very negative comments.

Gankaku69, Manchester and Proud of it (22/11/2009 at 17:32)

Look everyone knows that the markets are overpriced, but having travelled extensively across Europe they all are. I live in the city centre and from now until January it is the biggest pain in the arse, as hundreds of thousands of people flock to the city. This is testament that Manchester is way up their when it comes to Christmas Markets, I regularly see coaches parked up and hundreds of visitors getting off.

I do really do not think that the council does enough for this city but one thing that they have got dead right is this, like it or lump it they bring a hell of a lot of visitors to the city, and if you do not want to buy an overpriced item then don’t there will be thousands behind you who will.

citycentre, manchester (23/11/2009 at 09:20)

curiousyellow

"But you're quite happy inhaling away all the car and bus fumes? A bit hypocritical don't you think? "

Possibly people think that the unpleasentness from car and bus fumes is worth the sacrifice, for the huge increase in mobility allowed by these vehicles, while allowing a few desperate junkies to indulge thier addiciton to smoking in public is not?

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