Over 6,300 visited Blackwood Town Centre last weekend for the final Winter Food and Crafts Market.
Winter Food and Craft Markets were scheduled to take place in four of the Borough’s Town Centres, including Bargoed, Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly and Blackwood throughout the Christmas period, with the market in Ystard Mynach being cancelled due to Storm Arwen.
Each market hosted between 20 and 50 food and craft stalls, a selection of children’s funfair rides along with a jam-packed programme of top-quality street theatre entertainment.
The events resulted in an influx of visitors to the Borough’s Town Centres. With Bargoed Market receiving highest footfall numbers since 2014, Caerphilly Market receiving over 7,500 visitors, an increase of 174% compared to the preceding weekend, and over 6,300 people visiting Blackwood Town Centre, helping to boost the number of visitors to the town by 22% compared to the previous weekend.
The markets offered the perfect opportunity for visitors to shop locally, with each participating town centre having a selection of independent stores with some quirky gift ideas; there are also a number of high street stores and some great eating out venues.
Cllr. Eluned Stenner, Cabinet Member for Performance, Economy and Enterprise said, “It is great to see visitors enjoying and supporting our Town Centres again. Our local high streets have so much to offer, we should all try to shop local where we can this Christmas.”
