Food and drink producers invited to sign up for open-air Christmas fair

Local food, drink and craft producers and caterers are invited to take part in an open-air Christmas fair in Douglas town centre. 

The food and craft fair will be held in Strand Street and Regent Street on Saturday 10^th and Sunday 11^th December from 9.30am to 5pm. 

It is a collaboration between Douglas Town Centre Management and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA). 

Via its Food Matters strategy, DEFA is seeking to grow the value of food and drink to the economy. 

Andrew Lees, the Department’s Food Business Development Manager, said: ‘The strategy identifies that we should encourage the sector’s growth by focusing on new markets and customer demand. 

‘Our producers have told us they’d welcome the chance to sell their award-winning and high quality Manx produce at a Christmas fair. 

‘Douglas Town Centre Management will host the fair and, for this inaugural event, allow local food and drink producers to have stands, gazebos and electricity supplies free of charge. 

‘Staging the event in the run-up to Christmas will enhance the atmosphere in the already busy town centre – and will lead to more people tasting and buying our wonderful array of Manx produce. 

‘If the fair is successful, we hope it will be replicated at different venues and towns throughout the year and repeated at Christmas 2017.’ 

Oliver Cheshire, Douglas Town Centre Manager, said: ‘We’ve witnessed how food and craft fairs contribute significantly to the vibrancy, street life and, importantly, footfall in the regenerated town centre throughout the year. 

‘Such events also provide a welcome opportunity to celebrate and showcase the talents of local crafters and producers and, in the run-up to Christmas, the fair will provide a wealth of inspirational gift ideas. 

‘With this in mind, we are pleased to be partnering DEFA in this exciting project and would urge exhibitors to register as early as possible.’ 

To apply for a stand, contact Oliver Cheshire, Town Centre Manager, Douglas Borough Council, Town Hall, Douglas, via ocheshire@douglas.gov.im or +44 1624 696304.