The 6th Stalybridge Handmade Market of 2014 took place on Saturday 27th September and people came in their droves. From 10am when the doors opened right until closing at 3pm the market hall was buzzing. With 60 stalls set out to tempt the customers, live music throughout the day from The Dollar Bombers and Colette Todd and kids craft activities provided by Gorse Hall Kids Club it really was a great day for all the family. Saturday's market was the busiest so far this year and raised another £445 for Reuben's Retreat making the total raised so far this year almost £2000. Katherine Brookes, the owner of MWL Events who are the organisers of the market said "I think it was the right decision to have a break from the market in August, people were really hungry for it on Saturday and Christmas shopping seems to have started already". Katherine; who also runs a handmade card design business was amazed how quickly her boxes of charity Christmas cards sold out. Other traders at the market also reported of record breaking sales once again. Saturday's market was the first of the markets where the stalls were handpicked from the hundreds of stalls that applied. It's no easy job for the organisers but when one customer said she had goosebumps at seeing just how high the standard of stalls was this was music to the ears. MWL Events are lucky to have some fabulous sponsors onboard including local cleaning company Fairy Sparkle Cleaning Ltd who have a shop in the town and also Slimming World who runs regular clubs in the Civic Hall. "Not only do we showcase local talent but we also help to promote local businesses."
Stalybridge is fast becoming the handmade capital of Tameside with reports of boutique, independant gift shops opening up in the town. "Stalybridge needed a boost and I'd like to think we've helped" said Katherine. MWL Events pride themselves on connecting with new artisans all the time and have almost 500 traders registered with them now just 18 months after the business launched. Plans for 2015 markets are underway and the future for MWL Events is a bright one.
The next Handmade Market will take place on the 18th October from 10am until 3pm at Stalybridge Civic Hall when another fantastic line up of talented artisans and food producers will be selling their wares.
Further details of the handmade market and other upcoming events can be found at mwlevents.co.uk
Stalybridge Handmade Market in full swing
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