Artisan market to make debut in Rawtenstall (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Artisan market to make debut in Rawtenstall

2:30pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News By Chris Adams

RAWTENSTALL’S first Artisan Christmas market is set to give Manchester a run for its money when it sets up stall on the new town square.

Valley company Artisan Events, which has attracted rave reviews for its markets in Manchester, has organised the town’s first three-day market.

Council leader Alyson Barnes said it was an exciting development that would bring customers from far and wide into the borough.

Artisan Events director Asif Farakhan and his partner Jodie, who live in Helmshore, have been behind the hugely-successful artisan markets in Castlefield and Didsbury for the past two years.

The controversial town square, on the site of the old Valley Centre, opened on October 6 by staging the Rawtenstall Annual Fair.

But it has come in for criticism from some for not being used enough.

Mr Farakhan hopes the market will become an annual attraction.

He said: “We are very excited to be involved in this new venture on our home turf and we hope everyone will support us and make it a great yearly event for the town.

“Next year we will be starting a monthly artisan market in the square, so the Christmas Market is an opportunity to really start things off with a bang.

“We’ve got a frantic few weeks to turn things around, but it’s really exciting.”

The event will be staged from November 29 to December 1, and feature an eclectic mix of food, crafts, and vintage stalls.

There will be a heated marquee for customers to sit and soak up the atmosphere, with music and dancing in the evening.

At the town square’s opening last month, Coun Barnes spoke of her desire to make Rawtenstall an attractive day out.

She said: “We aim to make a visit to Rawtenstall a real day out.

“We’re a traditional Lancashire market town, and we only have to look at the success of Clitheroe and Ramsbottom to see what can be done.”

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