The 6^th annual Deepdale Christmas Market is now just a memory, as the presents bought are wrapped, the decorations brighten up homes and visitors wish they’d bought more of the lovely food & drink having already consumed them.

Thousands of visitors enjoyed the Winter sunshine while shopping in the large marquees around Dalegate Market and St Mary’s Church for gifts, decorations, local food and drink.  The North Norfolk Coast provided wonderful weather again, perfect for a Christmas event, with a little crispness in the air, mixed with the smells of mulled wine, spiced cider and the most delicious hot food.  If anyone missed the mint hot chocolate then sorry about that, you’ll just have to come back next year to enjoy!

Quotes from the weekend include: ‘I’ve never seen so many people in Burnham Deepdale!’, ‘This is gorgeous!’ and ‘Wow, look how many stalls are in this tent!’, but one of the most pleasing has to be from local blogger, Sophie in the Sticks, in her online review: ‘I’m returning next year for more of the same.’

“It was an excellent team effort to host almost 100 stalls this year and to welcome many thousands of visitors.  Both days were busy and apart from the traditional lazy Sunday morning start, there really wasn’t a slow point in the day.” said Jason Borthwick, one of the organisers.  “A big thank you to the Scouts who came to help us manage the car parking, to the Deepdale Farms team who did all the setting up and breaking down of the event, Fine & Country for sponsoring the road signs and to Abacus Marquees who work with us to continually develop the event and improve year on year.”

The majority of the 90+ stall holders were local independent traders, so the event was a huge celebration of small business.  Fitting as Small Business Saturday and Shop Local Saturday were on Saturday 6^th December.

“The majority of our shops here at Dalegate Market are independent retailers, and we feel passionately that having a shopping experience that is completely different from the high street is so important.” said Alister Borthwick.  “Deepdale Christmas Market helps us support many local independents and people discover what Dalegate Market has to offer all year round.  There’s no doubting that the weekend is a massive undertaking, we sleep very well when the work is done, but the sense of achievement is immensely satisfying too.”

Plans for the 2015 Deepdale Christmas Market are already under way.  Provisional dates of Friday 4^th, Saturday 5^th & Sunday 6^th December have been released, but the exact plans will take a while to develop.

One of the most asked questions is ‘When can I apply for a stand?’.  Stall holders will have to wait until late January 2015.  In the meantime, applications are open for the Pop Up Shops, which Dalegate Market hosts throughout the Summer months.  Full details can be found online at www.dalegatemarket.co.uk

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