PENARTH traders have given their backing to the launch of a Christmas Market in the town centre.

If the Christmas Market is a success it could lead to a monthly craft market taking place.

The market, which is set to be held on Ludlow Street on Sunday, December 21, has been organised by the Vale of Glamorgan council after the authority secured funding of £20,000, over three years, from the Welsh Government Town Centre Partnership Fund.

The money will go towards Christmas Markets in Penarth and Llantwit Major, and then setting up regular craft markets if they prove popular.

Businesses are being encouraged to have their own stall on the market and keep their shops open on the day.

Mariwyn Jones, town centres development officer at the Vale council, said the idea came from the Penarth Town Centre Framework, discussions with the Business Improvement District (BID) and suggestions from the Penarth Town Place Plan about what local residents wanted in the town. She said the aim of the market was to improve the vibrancy and viability of the town and boost local businesses, and Sundays had been chosen as research showed it was usually the quietest time of the week.

“What we have done is encouraged local traders to have a stand on the market so they can bring their product out on the street in a bid to bring more attention to it,” she said.

She said stalls would be provided for free for the first Christmas Market, but there would be a nominal cost in future to ensure the market was sustainable.

“We are doing it as a trial to see if there is interest and if people embrace it. This has come from the town and after consulting with local traders most of them are supportive.”

She added that the Christmas Market was set to feature craft items, local produce, cards, jewellery, woollen cushions, Christmas decorations and a wide range of other items.

Penarth’s Christmas Market will run from 10am until 4pm, although market traders will be expected to set up before 10am and take down after 4pm.

Traders from the Penarth Christmas Market pop-up shop, which has been based on Ludlow Street since October, have also given their backing to a regular market in the town centre.

Jo Powell, who runs Tutu Cute from the premises, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for small businesses trading in the town centre.

“If it turns out into a monthly event it would be great for Penarth and all the traders. Penarth needs something to boost the town centre.

“A market is such a good idea. It’s going to hopefully bring more customers to Penarth and boost business on a Sunday when it is usually quite quiet.”

Barbara Everett, who runs Barbara Boo in the town centre, said it was a great idea: “I’m going to open the shop on that day and try and get a stall,” she said.

“It could be really good for Penarth and boost local businesses.”

Carol Bartlett, who runs Sew Lovely, has been based in the town for seven months. She gave her backing to the plans and said that a market once a month would be enough, because of the traffic.

“We will be opening the shop too, and selling fabrics, capes for children and a few other things.”

Christina Whitney, of Alley Cat Boutique, said: “Anything that brings people to the town centre can’t be a bad thing.

“It means that money gets spent in the town and goes back to local businesses.

“For people that work full time out of town it means they can shop at local businesses when they are open too.”

She added that her only reservation was that some businesses close on a Sunday and a Monday to allow traders to have a weekend, and she wasn’t sure how that would work if shops were open one Sunday a month.