The Christmas Market in Newcastle city centre is one of the focal points of the whole holiday season - a heady mix of festive food and drink, Christmas shopping and all-round Yuletide vibes. The stallholders and traders work hard to make it all come together for us so we thought we’d focus on them – who they are, why they work on the market and what they’re hoping for this Christmas.
Old Eldon Square
The Christmas Market has expanded to include Old Eldon Square this year, with lots of stalls specialising in crafts and gifts from local makers and traders.
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Based in North Yorkshire, Laura’s Confectionary sells fudge, sweets, hampers and gifts across the north. This is the first year they’ve had a stall at the Christmas market and the second year Newcastle University student Carl was manning it today.
Tell us why you’re here and how you’re finding it?
“It’s good for me to get some retail experience and earn a little extra at Christmas.”
What’s the best thing about Newcastle at Christmas?
“The nightlife and the people! And the football!”
What would you like for Christmas?
“Tickets to a Liverpool match.”
JCW Collectables in based in the North East and sells all sorts of collectables – from militaria and concert posters to coins, models and toys. This is their first time at the Christmas market but John usually takes the stall to other markets like Tynemouth and Alnwick.
Tell us why you’re here and how you’re finding it?
“It’s good – it’s good to meet new customers, and some of them have come back.”
What would you like for Christmas?
“I don’t think we can print that!”
Tom Maley is new to markets and helping his friend Cameron Aylwin sell his metalwork designs. The stall is usually found at Tynemouth Market and Tom is also using it as an opportunity to promote his sculptures, many of which are football or sport-related. Aylwin Designs was at last year’s Christmas Market but it’s Tom’s first year.
Tell us why you’re here and how you’re finding it?
“My work is expensive sculpture so it would be great to get a couple of big sales. People aren’t going to impulse buy a £3,000 sculpture, so I’m hoping to connect with people and network. I’m very patient!"
What’s the best thing about Newcastle at Christmas?
“The Geordie spirit! It’s a party town. The Geordies are a sturdy bunch - that’s their greatest asset, especially at the moment!”
What would you like for Christmas?
“I’d love someone to buy one of my sculptures! Otherwise I don’t know, really – I’m terrible to buy for!”
Grey Street & Grainger Street
The heart of the traditional Christmas market in Newcastle, the stalls around Grey's Monument are buzzing with festive cheer, with lots of seasonal food and drink available among the gifts and flowers.
The Grill Tower
The huge tower atop the Bratwurst Stall is a Christmas landmark and has been part of the market since 2018 in different locations. When it’s not Christmas, the company can be found selling bratwurst and other meaty treats all over the place. Daisy was running things today.
What are you enjoying about working on the market?
“The atmosphere and meeting different people. It’s good for everyone and it brings more people into the city centre which is great for us and for local businesses.”
What’s the best thing about Newcastle at Christmas?
“Everything! Everything is great in Newcastle at Christmas!”
What would you like for Christmas?
“Everybody else to be happy and the kids to get what they want.”
Based in East Boldon, The Eco Stall is a family business (run by triplets!) that specialises in environmentally friendly and sustainable gifts, cosmetics, cleaning products and more. This is the stall’s second year at the market but they can be found at Tynemouth Market every Saturday and Sunday and do lots of pop-up events. Sister Melanie was manning the stall.
Tell us why you’re here and how you’re finding it?
“We’re a very small, family-run business so this is great. It’s important for people to support local businesses and it’s beneficial for the city centre. We’re getting our new brand seen by a big footfall and it’s never been more important to keep things local, supporting the local economy."
What’s the best thing about Newcastle at Christmas?
“Everyone’s so friendly, they get in a nice festive mood, and everyone always looks forward to the Christmas Market coming. It’s bigger than last year too.”
What would you like for Christmas?
“I just love for the family to get together, to spend time with family and friends you don’t get to see much when you’re working so hard. And lots of lovely food and drink.”
To be found at the very centre of the market for a few years, the large Dutch Flowers On Tour cabin is full of wreaths, plants and gifts. Jackie was manning the stall (although she’s normally found working in French Connection nearby).
What’s great about working on the Christmas market?
“It’s very different from working in a shop, you interact with the customers more – I really enjoy it. And who doesn’t love Christmas?”
What’s the best thing about Newcastle at Christmas?
“Being a Geordie!”
What would you like for Christmas?
“Just a nice time with my family”
Redheads have been serving their delicious takes on mac ’n’ cheese in the Grainger Market for a few years, after having started as a pop-up. During the Christmas market they’ve set up a shack at the top of Grey Street for the first time. Brody was one of the team today.
Tell us why you’re here and how you’re finding it?
“It’s nice to have the regular stall serving the usual crowd – office workers and students and the like – but also being exposed to new customers walking by, trying it out.”
What’s the best thing about Newcastle at Christmas?
“Decorations! The people are friendly and happy.”
Grainger Market
While the Christmas Market bustles outside, inside Grainger Market is busier than ever, with Christmas shoppers adding to the usual throng! The market is a great spot for all sorts of shopping as our guide to Christmas shopping showed.
Snackwallah has long been a popular stall in Grainger Market, selling delicious vegan Indian streetfood to hungry shoppers, and it’s a great resting place to grab a samosa and a lassi while you’re stocking up on seasonal essentials. Jake was running things when we visited, and he’s been working for Snackwallah for four years.
What’s great about working on the Christmas market?
“It’s certainly busier and I always prefer working when it’s busy. We get a lot more first-time customers out doing their Christmas shopping, as opposed to regulars or people seeking us out specifically.”
What’s the best thing about Newcastle at Christmas?
“The atmosphere in the city centre is always buzzing because the city is quite small, really, and with the Christmas market just outside it’s just really buzzing and lively.”
What would you like for Christmas?
“I’d like a LONG period of rest for Christmas!”
Geordie Bangers are a local institution and their Grainger Market stall and café is always busy selling drinks, sandwiches and savouries alongside the packs of tasty artisan sausages. Ben Jones has been working for Geordie Bangers for about ten years.
What’s great about working on the Christmas market?
“It’s busier and you see a greater cross-section of people, lots of new faces and people are generally more chirpy."
What’s the best thing about Newcastle at Christmas?
“You’re asking the wrong man!”
It’s safe to say that the traders and stallholders play a big role in making the Christmas Market what it is, a much-loved part of the Tyneside festive season. So whether you need some last-minute gifts, some sweets and treats for Christmas Day or tasty food while you’re out shopping, visit the markets and make sure to give the traders a little bit of Christmas cheer because it wouldn’t be a Newcastle Christmas without them.
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