Festive market announced for Cathedral grounds

While summer is well and truly here, Colmore BID and partners are busy planning activities for the winter months and are pleased to announce details for Christmas in Cathedral Square, a month-long festive market with 30 craft, gift and food and drink stalls.  

Delivered in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Cathedral and Danter Attractions Limited, Christmas in Cathedral Square will take place in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral between 17 November-19 December 2021, offering a mixture of craft, gift and food and drink stalls. The market will provide a platform for local businesses, producers and craftspeople to showcase their goods in the run up to Christmas, complimenting other established festive events in the city centre.

Michele Wilby, CEO of Colmore BID, said: “Christmas 2020 was not what anyone had planned. Interaction with family and friends was limited and many did not feel like it was a cause of celebration. For 2021, we want Christmas in Colmore Business District to be one to remember, but for good reasons. Christmas in Cathedral Square looks to support and expand the city’s Christmas offer, providing a platform to support our diverse local talent.

“We hope to create an experience which animates the District, engaging with those that work in the area, while also attracting many other visitors. Over the years we have delivered a breadth of successful projects with Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Cathedral and are looking forward to strengthening this relationship with the addition of Danter Attractions. While it may seem early to be talking about Christmas, it will be here before you know it.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of the Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham’s festive events attract millions of people to the city centre every year and I’m pleased that we are continually reviewing the Christmas offer. Working in partnership with Colmore BID, we’ve been able to develop a market that will showcase local products as well as food, drink – further supporting our city as we emerge from the challenges of the past 18 months.

“Inevitably Christmas will look different again this year, so we are working with our partners to ensure people remain safe as they enjoy the festive season in Birmingham. The addition of Christmas in Cathedral Square bolsters an already strong programme of events in the city, which we hope people of all ages, from Birmingham and beyond, will come and enjoy.”

Anna Pitt, CEO of Birmingham Cathedral, said: “‘We are delighted to be hosting a Christmas market this year in Cathedral Square. It is a particular joy to be partnering closely with Colmore BID and Birmingham City Council to host an event which will support local businesses after a very difficult couple of years. There will be opportunities for colleagues, friends and families to gather together in a way that has been so missed in recent months. For our Cathedral community, advent and Christmas are a time of celebration and we look forward to sharing the spirit of Christmas and the joy of the season with all those who visit Cathedral Square.

“For generations, families have made a point of visiting the cathedral as part of their Christmas celebrations. The cathedral team and congregation are delighted that worship will be going beyond the doors of the cathedral.”

Danter Attractions has been appointed as operator for Christmas in Cathedral Square and will be managing the logistics for the market and stall holders. Applications for stall holders is now open and will run until 6 August, 2021. All traders must have a presence within the wider Birmingham region and you must have an address or business presence relating to Birmingham to apply. If you are interested in taking a stall, you can download the application form https://colmorebusinessdistrict.com/christmas-in-cathedral-square-vendor-applications/ 

Over the coming months more information about Christmas in Cathedral Square will be released. To keep up to date with future announcements, visit www.colmorebusinessdistrict.com