Leftbank market held its early Christmas Market for local businesses from not just across the city but the whole of Yorkshire.
The aim of this market was to promote as many local businesses as possible and with an earlier date it gives them more time during the festive season to grow their business and to counteract the overwhelming number of people that flood to online shopping for Christmas.
Sue Jennings, Director of Leftbank, said:
“Its so difficult for these businesses to be seen and recognised online and also when you’re shopping there’s something really nice about being able to see the product before you buy it.”
The market welcomed local businesses from craft with woollen decoratives and handmade ink stamps, fashion and even food and drink stalls displaying cheeses, wines and even curries.
Andy Rawnsley is the founder of Baldy Crafts, he said:
“What you get with markets like this is you get to meet the people who made the products and it gives you that human interaction that is completely absent in online shopping.”
At the start of this year online sales reported for 25% of total retail sales and is projected to reach 38% by the end of the year.
On top of that 87% of internet users in the UK shop online, so will people continue to flock to online or will independent businesses survive through the help of local markets such as this one at Leftbank? That remains to be seen.
