WITH Christmas fast approaching and likely to be different to anything we’ve known before, independent business owners in Richmondshire have an opportunity to reach new customers through a Christmas market.

The Dales Christmas Market is taking place between November 19 to 22 and is free to anyone ‘attending’. Although there won’t be the experience of crowded streets and real life festivities, the online market will have many stalls for people to browse from the comfort of their homes. Live streams will also take place across the weekend for vendors to talk about their products and provide special offers for any attendees.

There are also opportunities for corporates sponsorship.

The event is being run by local business network, Dales Business Women, primarily to provide an opportunity to promote its members' businesses, but also businesses in the broader local community.

Dales Business Women Founder, Sharon Davis, believes this event is necessary to help independent businesses throughout the Christmas period.

She said: “At a time when many businesses are faced with so much uncertainty and reduced opportunities to showcase their business, we hope our Dales Christmas Market will provide a platform for local businesses to gain new customers."

Christmas is a crucial time for so many independent businesses and makers and this one of the ways we are supporting our local economy.

“More than ever we’re all getting creative with our online promotion and we hope this creates an opportunities which go beyond the Christmas season. We also want to spread a bit of Christmas cheer and are seeking to make it fun and as interactive as possible.”

Anyone interested in booking a stall can sign up at: https://daleschristmasmarket.com