Craft fair creates 'bright atmosphere' at Sutton's indoor market

The market, at the Idlewells Shopping Centre, is to be given a £400,000-plus facelift by Ashfield Distrtict Council next year, promising vibrant improvements.

And the day-long craft fair helped to raise spirits and create “a nice, bright atmosphere”, according to the council’s town centres and markets manager Trevor Middleton.

“We had 13 local traders, selling handmade goods and gift ideas, occupying the empty stalls in the market, and they were very well received,” said Mr Middleton.

“We had good feedback, and there was a definite increase in the number of visitors. The existing traders also noticed a difference.”

Among the stallholders were Gwyneth Morley, of Kirkby, Hugh Baxter, Dawn White, of Deja Vu crafts, Jackie Andrews, of pj-gifts, Ellie Cooper, of Kirkby, selling health products, and Sandra Bellamy and Peter Abrahall, of Warsop, who also raised money for cancer research.

A second craft fair, with a Christmas theme, is to be held at the indoor market on Saturday, November 26, offering traditional and festive gifts and food.

The much-needed refurbishment of the 59-stall market, which attracts 25,000 shoppers per week, gets under way in January and will run through to November. The market will remain open while the work takes place

Although it remains popular, the venue has not been modernised since it first opened back in 1971. There will be a new layout, with new stalls and a mix of new and existing traders.