Stall holders at Swindon’s Theatre Square Christmas Market were pleased with the boost it gave their small businesses.

The market took place between 11am and 4pm on Saturday, December 3 and was hosted by The Artsite Complex and Swindon Central Library.

Over 20 independent businesses and artists setup stalls at the event and many were thrilled with the opportunity to showcase their products on Small Business Saturday.

Lynette Thomas, who has a studio at Artsite making mosaics, felt that despite the rising cost of living, small businesses were seeing plenty of customers at the markets this year.

She said: “I’ve done a few stalls this year and it doesn’t seem to have affected the popularity, in fact I’d say it has been busier. People are still buying from small businesses.”

Clare O’Driscoll, whose stall offered a range of handmade items from bags to pillows, agreed: “There has been a steady flow of people coming into the market.

“I think the markets are still quite busy because at a Christmas market you tend to get the more unique items that you wouldn’t find in the shops and actually, with Swindon town centre not being at its best, it’s nice to go to a market and find something unique for people”.

She emphasised the importance of the Christmas Market for giving small businesses and people looking to make extra income an opportunity to showcase their products.

She added: “The Christmas Market is really important, it’s a lovely way to show what you’re doing but also make a little bit of added income which we need around Christmas time”.

Lisa Tate, who was selling her own textile art in Swindon Library, agreed: “I think they’re really important to people who have got their own small businesses because there aren’t many places in Swindon where you can sell your own work”.

While the general mood was upbeat about the turnout in what has been a difficult year for small businesses, Mrs Tate was worried about the impact of the cost of living crisis on consumers.

“A lot of people have been coming to look but not many people seem to be buying anything”, she said.

“It’s hard to say because I haven’t done a market for a few years but I guess it (the cost of living crisis) has had an impact because people haven’t got a lot of money this year”.