Winter Markets coming to Piccadilly Gardens and St Ann’s Square

The Christmas Markets may have been cancelled – but there will be outdoor Winter Markets in Piccadily Gardens and St Ann’s Square as a seasonal alternative to the high street.

The socially-distanced event will support independent local traders in Manchester and across the region who would have been part of the city’s usual Christmas Markets, says the Council.

The Piccadilly Gardens markets will include the usual street-food traders, along with a range of craft and gift stalls, and is open now until Wednesday 23rd December from 10.30am until 7pm.

St Ann’s Square, meanwhile, will welcome some of the usual Christmas Market favourites for two long weekends: Wednesday 9th December to Sunday 13th December, and Wednesday 16th December until Sunday 20th December, from 10.30am until 7pm.

Food stalls on offer will include Porky Pig and his famous Yorkshire pudding wraps, Eat Greek with traditional gyros and halloumi fries, Elsie May’s gooey cookie dough, Traditional Christmas market pancakes, Gourmet English sausage and German bratwurst, and Mango Rays with hot and fresh burritos and vegan chill con carne.

Social distancing

The weekend markets will be strictly managed to limit the number of people who can access the stalls at any one time, using a one-way traffic system to ensure social distancing can be always adhered to.  

Outdoor markets are allowed to trade under the Government’s Tier 3 COVID-19 guidelines.

“We know people were so disappointed to hear this year’s Christmas Markets could not go ahead,” said Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson.

“Public safety must be at the heart of everything we do, and we could not put on our usual world-class event while keeping people safe.  

“Since then, we have been looking at ways of supporting the Christmas traders at an important time of year for their businesses, while also attracting people to the city centre in a safe an manageable way.  

“Our Winter Markets have attracted some of the city’s – and region’s – top makers and traders, who provide a real alternative to the high street.” 

Full list of traders

Week 1

The Crusty Pie Company – Pork pies, pork pies with added fillings, pasties, chutneys, scotch eggs etc 

Popsters – Pop record clocks and coasters 

The Great British Cheese Company – Waxed truckle cheeses. Also, gift packs including with chutney

Johnsons Toffees – Selection of various toffees and fudges 

The Closet Boutique – Faux fur clothing, hats, gloves, scarves and headbands 

Zen Experimental – Peaky Blinders bottled gin, Peaky Blinders gin themed gift sets. Peaky Blinders rum, coffee spiced rum and caramel spiced rum

Mandalay Accessories – Hair accessories: hair clips, ribbons. Silk scarves, handbags, handmade jewellery

The Cocktail Co –  Cold bottled cocktails for off-site consumption. Gift Hampers

Amazonas Gifts –  Jewellery, Bags, purses, scarves, wall hangings, fair trade clothing and t-shirts

Cheshire Cheese Company –  Cheese, chutney, jams and spreads 

Personalised Gifts – Personalised gifts, toy trucks, hairbands, mugs, bracelets and keyrings. Personalised mood lockets

Paul Collins – Tweed bags, purses and wallets

Trolle Trading Limited –  Toffee vodka (for consumption off-site) and gift boxes. 

Snugglebottle – Herbal heatpacks 

Priya –  Nepalese woollen jumpers, jackets, coats, scarves, hats, felt items 

Sticky Chocolate –  Chocolate slabs, assorted chocolates and fudges

The Olive Tree –  Olive oil soaps, crafted olive wood boxes, statues and ornaments 

Week 2

Snugglebottle –  Herbal heatpacks

Chi Chi’s –   Painted tin lanterns (animal shapes) from Bali. Pop up greeting cards, papier-mache animal ornaments, ornamental metal butterflies and dragonflies, contemporary pop art designs  

The Little Gift Hut –  Keepsakes, charms, love gifts, friendship gifts, hearts, crystals, wishbags, fairies and angels 

Mayflower Apiaries –  Honey & beeswax products: candles, polish, hand cream, lip balm and soap 

Priya Trading –  Nepalese woollen jumpers, jackets, coats, scarves, hats, felt items 

The Cheese Board –  Cheese, chutneys and jams 

Sticky Chocolate –  Chocolate slabs, assorted chocolates and fudges

The Closet Boutique –  Faux fur clothing, hats, gloves, scarves and headbands 

From The Olive Tree –  Olive oil soaps, crafted olive wood boxes, statues and ornaments 

O’Donnell Moonshine –  Moonshine official products, inc tough nut, roasted apple, wildberry and sticky toffee flavours. 

Malvavisco –  Gourmet marshmallows in various flavours. 

Just The Cheese –  Cheese truckles          

Amazonas Jewellery – Hand crafted, silver and glass jewellery 

Johnsons Toffees – Selection of various toffees and fudges 

The Crusty Pie Company –  Pork pies, pork pies with added fillings, pasties, chutneys, scotch eggs etc 

Popsters –  Pop record clocks and coasters 

The Cocktail Co –  Cold bottled cocktails for off-site consumption. Gift Hampers

Paul Collins –  Tweed bags, purses and wallets.