It's been a festive weekend in Nottinghamshire as people flocked to a number of events across the county. In Nottingham city centre, huge crowds packed into Winter Wonderland on Saturday and Sunday, with a number of stallholders speaking out about the success of this year and how they believe it's been one of the best yet.
Further north in Mansfield, a crowd of around 10,000 strong were in the Market Place to watch 90s band East 17 switch-on the town's Christmas lights. Our reporter said it was a huge celebration with people of all ages turning out to enjoy the festivities.
After the event, a spokesperson for the District Council put the following message on their Facebook page: "Our Christmas lights are now lighting up the town. Thank you to everyone who came to our Big Lights Switch On event today, we hope you had a lovely time."
In the city, many visitors have praised the success of this year's Winter Wonderland. With some stallholders suggesting the new aerial ice rink feature had added to the event.
READ MORE: Best times to go to Nottingham's Winter Wonderland, according to stallholders
Winter Wonderland stallholder Lucas Coughlan, of The Cherry Tree, which sells a variety of jams, chutney, preserves and marmalades, has said there has been a massive difference in sales this year for the stall.
The 21-year-old said: “I wasn’t here personally last year but looking at all the figures from last year we have almost tripled what we did last year.
“There’s been a lot more cash other than cards, so it’s been nice to see people revert back to normal. It’s been good.”
When asked about the return of the ice rink this year, Mr Coughlan said: “It’s been good, it’s kept people out more, before they clear off to the pubs but the ice rink is keeping people out. It’s brought a lot more people out.”
Speaking on Saturday, Bill Marlow, a stallholder at Winter Wonderland, has described the Nottingham's market as one of the best in the country. He is running the China Mugs stall at the market and said: "The Nottingham market is very good. I have come here for four or five years now.
"It is great to see people out enjoying themselves after the Covid fiasco. It is a very good market.
"I have been to many markets around the country, and this is one of the very good ones. It has been very good so far, for people and businesses."
Jucy Glass stall holder, Lucy Hall, who owns a local artist business in Sherwood, says that there is a buzz this year compared to last year.
Lucy said: “It’s been very busy, people are coming from shows and there’s a real buzz about it this year. Loads of people are coming from out of town, there’s a lot of shows going on at the concert hall.
“If you want the buzz of winter wonderland come late afternoon evenings, the lights and the music. It’s always a real buzz. The difference is really really remarkable.”
Sean Johns, 37, of Imajineers, a brand new stall for the Winter Wonderland, which sells a range of customised items, the most popular item being a personalised bauble. Mr Johns told Nottinghamshire Live that the stall has been really busy.
“It’s been tiring. I have only been here for a week and it’s generally busiest when the weather is dry. Lunch time is quite busy. Monday was the quietest day when it rained. Lunchtime and after work are the busiest.
“We've got lots of customised items, we've got a niche of what people want. Lots of people want customised Christmas presents.”
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