Shoppers kept it local for events

Alnwick Chamber of Trade (ACT) and Alnwick Markets combined forces for the annual showcase and promotion of local businesses and produce.

It came just days after the Gazette relaunched its Keep It Local campaign in last week’s paper.

Organisers have praised the support in the town for this year’s Small Business Saturday – a national initiative – and the two-day Christmas market, saying the events were the best ever in terms of impact and footfall.

ACT chairman Carlo Biagioni said: “It was a successful weekend and we hope that residents will continue to keep it local with their shopping in the run-up to Christmas.”

The market featured a range of entertainment and many traders said it was the best Christmas market in Alnwick in recent years.

There was evidence that local shops and cafés benefited from the extra buzz around town.

A representative from Apparo, in the Market Place, said: “We had a really busy weekend, especially on Saturday. Lots of customers said they had come in specially for the event.”

The final market before Christmas will be on December 23, which will be a combined farmers’, craft and general market.