Festive market is'¨a real Nutcracker

The Nutcracker Wonderland Christmas Market has arrived – and been hailed a cracking success by visitors on the first day.

Chalet-style stalls decorated in lights and garlands have been lined along West Gate, Mansfield, selling goods from English cheese to Christmas decorations.

Mandy Birkin, aged 52, from Rainworth, was among the first visitors when it opened yesterday.

She said: “It is lovely, nice to see something in Mansfield for once. It has a Christmassy feel.”

Five giant Nutcracker soldiers stand around the stalls as part of a children’s trail and there is also a photo board where visitors can be transformed in to a Nutcracker.

Annette Bacon, 53, from Alfreton visited the market and bought beer, a book and a doorstop.

She said: ”We usually go to the market in Nottingham.

“We came down to shop, but saw the stalls so the first thing we did was look.”

Rob Hornby, 55, from Mansfield said: “The trail is fanastic for the kids.”

Dorothy Colman, 82, from Clipstone said: “It looks lovely,

“I don’t know how much I’ll buy but I was admiring them being put up.”

Ann McGarry, 68, from Kirkby, said: “It is very good, the best Mansfield has done for a long time, I would like to see this in Kirkby.”

The market will be open daily until Sunday, December 3, from 10am to 6pm, and until 8pm, on Thursdays.

There will also be special Nutcracker performances by the East Midlands Performing Arts on November 21, 23 and 30, from 5pm to 6pm.

The market has been organised by the Mansfield Business Improvement District.

Sue Rogers, BID events coordinator, said: “The Nutcracker-themed market is all about creating a fabulous event for people to come along to. It’s looking great and the interest we have had shows it is going to be very popular.

“There are Christmas markets in larger towns and cities, but we want people to be coming into our town centre and enjoying what we have here.”

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“There is so much variety when it comes to shops and things to do in Mansfield town centre, from larger retailers to independent stores. This market can only add to that.”

Ann’s husband Robert Michael McGarry, 68, who was with her said: “I like everything about this market, there has been nothing for a long time.”