“We’ve only been here twice, and it’s been fantastic”: Irlam market joins Christmas with community

A local market has united Irlam for the fifth year running, beginning the start of its Christmas run on Sunday.

The event, which has run on the third Sunday of each month since Winter 2018, welcomed the return of its colder season by showcasing a variety of local businesses and charities, many of which displayed seasonal products to match the occasion.

Taking place at the Princes Park Garden Centre, the market’s main aim is to gain traction towards its on-site charity, coffee and plant shops, whilst allowing individuals to showcase their business ventures, especially during the holiday season.

The event’s popularity has grown enormously, with dates being added for December 4 and 11.

Stacey Antcliff, who has volunteered at the markets since their debut five years ago, said: “We probably had about seven stalls on the very first one, and now we’ve expanded out from the garden centre itself onto the actual park and now I think we’ve got 19 stalls today with us.”

“I think it’s really important because they don’t have to go very far to sell their goods, they’re selling direct to their local community.”

She also stressed the economic importance of supporting local businesses: “There’s some sort of research that says every £10 that goes into the local economy you spend generates actually £50 for the whole economy.”

Sunday’s markets hosted a vast range of stalls, with visitors being able to shop for Christmas themed sweet treats, homemade pet care products, festive crafts and candles, and wooden carvings, to name but a few, with the stallholders coming from a plethora of different backgrounds.

Eirini Xristoulaki, who had recently moved with family from Greece before setting up her craft stall: ‘Eirini’s Little Corner’, was a newcomer to the fair. She said: “It’s something very new for me, we started in September.

“I love being creative, so I said, now with a baby I’m home all day and it’s not easy for me to work, so I said, why not make it [party favours and festive decorations] a business.

“It’s my first ever market, and I’m nervous and excited, and it’s really nice for me.”

Whilst it was some participant’s first ever market, many have been in attendance since the market began.

Emma Woodward, owner of Candle Lane, has seen the event transform. She commented: “I’ve been coming to the markets since they started. It’s really helped, because regular markets give you something to focus on and keep going through your little business, especially during COVID.”

In addition to self-run businesses, many charities also took to Sunday’s markets to boost morale for themselves and the local community.

The ‘Inner Wheel Club of Irlam 2000’ , an Irlam branch of the Manchester-born initiative to aid the vulnerable women of local communities, were present with their tombola stall in order to raise the critical funds needed to service charities both in the area and abroad.

Mary Tantrum and her colleague, Joan, were eager to both raise awareness for their charity and give back to the community. They said: “We’re not expecting to make lots of money. As I say, we’re twofold: explaining what ‘Inner Wheel’ does and making a little bit to support our charity.

“We’ve only been here twice, and it’s been fantastic. This time, having done the tombola, it’s been super-duper.”

With myriad produce available, a fun and social community feel, and the market’s proximity to its on-site garden centre and Rooster’s Coffee Cabin, the event’s festive debut went off with a bang, and looks set to continue its positive trajectory into the Winter season.