With retail taking a considerable hit in the ongoing wake of the pandemic, supporting Manchester’s local traders has never been more important. With Christmas fast approaching, the city’s many artists, jewellers and creatives are offered a much-needed lifeline and opportunity to make up for a year of losses. Below, you’ll find a handful of independent makers markets that have taken their Christmas stalls online, giving customers the chance to browse and buy handmade and locally crafted gifts for friends and family. Happy shopping!
Despite 2020’s struggles, the team behind Stretford Market are determined to provide a shopping experience that’s as close-to-normal as possible in the lead up to Christmas. In order to achieve this goal, they’ve launched an online Christmas Market which will be selling locally sourced food and drink, alongside a range of independently crafted gifts. Customers have until Wednesday 16 December to place their order, which can then be collected in-person during allotted time-slots a week later on Wednesday 23 December, to ensure social distancing. Among the treats on offer are organic sprout trees and micro greens grown on a local Stockport farm, bespoke face masks made by a local Stretford artist, and boutique flavoured gins from a Chorlton distillery.
Full of gift ideas that reflect the aesthetics, colour and creativity of its watery home, Victoria Baths’ recently launched online shop stocks a wide array of stocking fillers for adults and children alike. Their Crafty Kids Bundle (£7.50) features a range of stationary goodies including a Victoria Baths notepad and pencil, a ticket-shaped eraser, pencil sharpener and a selection of crayons – while their mini-jigsaw puzzle (£8) will keep little ones busy while they assemble a vibrant image of the venue’s iconic Angel of Purity stained glass window. Meanwhile for the parents there’s a selection of organic soaps (£4), Victoria Bath prints (£20) and postcard and pen sets (£7) – with all proceeds going towards keeping the venue afloat during these difficult times.
- Words:
- Simon Bland
- Published on:
- Wed 25 Nov 2020
Islington Mill’s talented collective of artists and makers have set up shop on the venue’s website to sell their wares and tempt you away from the almighty Amazon during 2020’s festive season. A quick browse reveals a range of gift options; from Tara Collette’s alternative banners and Earthy prints and Bohemian Drifters’ handmade jewellery items boasting quartz, crystals and amethysts, to Laura Jane Atkinson’s calming homeware products and Fernandes Makes‘ pop-culture skewed cards, coasters and Christmas decorations (the dinosaur ones are our fave!) – there really is something for everyone.