Richmond Christmas Market to be “even better”

Organisers of Richmond’s now annual Christmas market say this year’s event will be even better than last year.

The market will take place on Sunday, December 2 between 10am and 4pm.

As well as stalls selling gifts and festive food and drink, there will be entertainment from the Royal Armoured Corps Band, REME Band, Catterick WAGS Choir, The Rhythm & Shoes Dance Academy and Richmond Operatic Society.

The fire, police and Army will be showing off some kit, while there will also be a Punch and Judy and a traditional swing boat ride.

Dennis Graves, from the organising committee, said there had been a number of other changes since last year.

He said: “Following the great turnout last year the committee felt there were just a few changes to make.

“So to make this wonderful event safer for everyone we have pedestrianised the entire Market Place, also giving us the opportunity to increase the number and variety of stalls.

“New this year due to comments from last year’s visitors are some Portaloos.”

The Chic Boutique will run in the Town Hall and Santa will be in the Mayor’s Parlour giving out gifts and taking orders for Christmas.

Park and Ride will again be in place at Richmond School, with the Little White Bus ferrying visitors into the town centre throughout the day.

During the day, the Market Place bus stops will be moved to Friary Gardens and the taxi rank will be outside Heron Foods.

All car parks in Richmond will be free for the day as there is no parking in the Market Place and there is mobility parking available in all car parks.

Dennis added: “We are distributing 9,000 leaflets to local households to promote the market and our website and Facebook pages are being updated daily, so please take a look.

“The Christmas Market is run by a team of volunteers and we’d love to recruit more like-minded people, so please get in touch if interested.”

For more details, visit www.richmondtownchristmasmarket.co.uk