Middlesbrough’s Dundas Indoor Market has announced details of an action packed run up to Christmas.
As well as special seasonal markets and a visit by Santa, it is has just unveiled a major extension, welcomed new traders and is even hosting a live concert.
Market Manager David Harris said: “This will be my 10th Christmas here and I’ve never seen anything like it.”
It has all started with the opening of additional space created by the Market’s takeover of the old Fulton’s Food shop, which shut down in 2021.
The hugely popular soccer memorabilia business ASB Football Shirts has moved to a larger shop there from its current spot in the Market. It has been joined by PM Toys and Collectables which opened three years ago and is also taking over one of the bigger new units.
The extension is accommodating four new retailers: Vintage 101, which sells retro and current fashions; memorial gifts and keepsakes will be provided by Heaven on Earth; Sharon’s Handmade Crafts will be showcasing bespoke handmade gifts, and – for something a bit different – the alternative and quirky gift shop Bloody Creations is also opening.
Freed up space in the older part of the Market is going to be occupied by two other traders: Gifts 4 U, selling homewares and furniture, and Baby Beautiful making its seasonal return to Dundas with its lifelike Reborn Dolls.
“By creating new units and helping our occupiers move to bigger ones there are still opportunities for other traders to start their businesses here or relocate from somewhere else,” said Mr Harris, who is keen to hear from a fruit and veg seller, a florist, a men’s barber and a mobile phone retailer.
The start of December sees the first of the Christmas Markets take place in the Dundas Shopping Centre mall for three days from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th. The second Christmas Market runs from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd.
On the first Saturday of the month – the 7th – the Indoor Market will again be taking part in Small Business Saturday UK, where people are encouraged to “shop local”. The next day – Sunday 8th – Santa will be around from 2-3pm to meet children and hand out presents.
Throughout a festive December children will be able to take part in Christmas competitions and from late November until the end of the year the Centre again becomes part of Middlesbrough’s fantastic Walking with the Snowman trail.
In addition to all of the tradition, the second Promoting Local free live concert is being held on Saturday 21 December.
The first one in October showcased six of the brightest musical talents on Teesside – from singer/songwriters to heavy rock bands – and was part of Dundas’ on-going campaign to introduce its customers to the work of some extremely gifted local artists.
“We’ll be announcing the line up in due course,” said Mr Harris, who added “Even though there’s so much going on over the next few weeks, some things stay the same: if you’re looking for value for money and a gift you can’t find anywhere else, Dundas is the place for you.”