Council recognised for Victorian Market

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's support for local enterprise has been recognised with an award honouring last year's inaugural Victorian Christmas Market.  

The accolade was presented to Council representatives at the Federation of Small Businesses' Local Authority Awards for Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull last Friday (13 July). The awards recognise the contribution that local authorities make to small business.  

The judges' comments noted that: "…this application detailed a different type of campaign. [The market] had great success over a weekend in adverse weather, helping to achieve great reach throughout the UK with people travelling significantly to attend the event. This particular campaign supported the retail sector, which is often neglected and generally doesn't receive much support."  

The 2017 event featured  around 180 stalls with traders dressed in Victorian attire, offering a wide variety of seasonal gifts, arts, crafts, street food, local gins, ciders, beer and mulled wine.  A traditional funfair and carousel, and themed entertainment throughout the town all added to the festive atmosphere.  

Councillor Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "I'm delighted that the District Council, together with partners Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council and our market contractors LSD Promotions, has been recognised for the Victorian Christmas Market in Stratford-upon-Avon. The judges particularly made reference to this campaign's support for retail, a sector which generally gets little support. With footfall up by a resounding 91% in the town, this certainly gave local businesses a boost at a time of year when trading can be challenging.  

"All the councillors involved will be able to acknowledge how bitterly cold it was over that weekend.  Nevertheless, this is a great achievement and credit must go to all the partners involved who worked so hard to make this happen. We look forward to welcoming you all to the 'award winning' Victorian Christmas Market this year!"  

The Victorian Christmas Market returns to Stratford-upon-Avon from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 December 2018. Find out more on our Victorian Christmas Market web page.