Sparkling city wonderland dispels grey day for festive fun

NOTTINGHAN'S Christmas market has opened, bringing festive sparkle to the city centre on a grey, drizzly day. Jewellery, food and drink, cosy winter accessories and a unique array of other gifts are on sale.

- By LYNETTE PINCHESS

Stallholders have travelled from far and wide to spend the next six weeks trading along Long Row before wrapping up on Christmas Eve.

Dozens of wooden huts are the first phase of Winter Wonderland, the festive extravaganza in Old Market Square, with an ice rink, observation wheel and bars including Sur La Piste and the Ice Bar. The event will officially open today at 4pm.

Alan Andrew, who is manning the Great British Cheese Company stall overlooking Long Row, has returned for the annual event. Drawing customers in with a taster, he said: “Half the battle is getting people to taste it but once they've tasted it, you're done, it's that good.”