The organisers of the prestigious Bath Christmas Market are encouraging new traders to apply for retail chalets at this year’s event.

The Market (which attracts over 200,000 visitors from all over the UK) is now in its seventh year and has grown to become one of the most well respected Christmas events in the UK group travel calendar.

Set in the centre of the bustling city centre retail area, against a stunning backdrop of the famous Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, the market consists of over 120 wooden chalets, occupied by retailers offering high quality goods for sale for the festive season.

Previously, repeat traders have been given priority over other traders who apply to hold a chalet at the market. However, in a bid to ensure that visitors to the market get the best possible experience, the competition is now being opened up so that new traders have the same opportunities as those who have traded at the market before.

All traders must complete an application for a chalet – with preference given to local, handmade or fair-trade products. The team who select the retailers are also keen to ensure a good mix of high quality products, including Christmas decorations, gifts, toys, jewellery, clothing and food products, all at a range of prices.

Robin Bischert, Chief Executive of the event’s organisers Bath Tourism Plus says: ‘We are really keen to ensure that new retailers have the same opportunity as retailers who have been at the Christmas market in previous years. Opening up the competition to everyone will ensure that products offered at the event will be of the highest quality and value to our customers.’

However, trading at Bath Christmas Market should not be taken lightly – with over 200,000 potential customers over 11 long days, there is much to consider with regard to organisation - storage, accommodation, staffing and stock levels. Traders need to be prepared to invest a lot of time, energy and money – but with potentially great rewards.

Mr Bischert concluded: ‘From the feedback we have had from stallholders at Bath Christmas Market 2006, the event is extremely successful for them, with 95% saying that they would want to come back again this year. We feel that this is a good measure of the success they had in meeting their sales and marketing objectives – and 2007 is sure to be just as successful.’

Provisional dates for the 11 day event are 29th November – 9th December. To find out more about applying for a chalet at Bath Christmas Market, visit www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk – click on the ‘Stallholders info’ link and fill in the online form (or telephone 01225 396417). An application pack will be sent to you for completion, which will need to be returned by 13th April and the final selection will be made by the end of May.