Established in 1743, St Nicholas Market is Bristol’s oldest market and one of the city’s most popular spots for shoppers looking for something different when it comes to Christmas presents.
Until Christmas Eve, St Nicholas Market has been extended to include some outdoor stalls every day and trading hours have also been extended.
The indoor market will be open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm, Saturdays from 9.30am to 6pm, Sundays from 10am to 5pm and 9.30am to 3pm on Christmas Eve.
But how has this affected trade for the stallholders and how is business this Christmas? We were able to chat with eight traders to see how the Christmas season was treating their business. Here’s what we found:
The indoor market will be open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm, Saturdays from 9.30am to 6pm, Sundays from 10am to 5pm and 9.30am to 3pm on Christmas Eve.
![At Grandma's Toyshop, Gemma said: “We've probably been three times as busy this month as previous months, but also probably about twice as busy as last December as well. So it's really picked up, it's really, really good. Yeah, we're super happy. I would say [the outdoor Christmas market] does make people sort of stop and come in rather than walk straight past the market because that’s probably our biggest problem is people walking from one side of town to the other side of town and not acknowledging us. So having the stalls outside does drive people in which is great.”](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/15/16/11/Grandma%27s%20Toys.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Grandma's Toyshop
At Grandma's Toyshop, Gemma said: “We've probably been three times as busy this month as previous months, but also probably about twice as busy as last December as well. So it's really picked up, it's really, really good. Yeah, we're super happy. I would say [the outdoor Christmas market] does make people sort of stop and come in rather than walk straight past the market because that’s probably our biggest problem is people walking from one side of town to the other side of town and not acknowledging us. So having the stalls outside does drive people in which is great.”
![At Jewellery and Paperjay, Jane shared: “If you’d asked me last week, I’d have said awful. And then from Saturday, well last Friday, it’s getting much better. I’ve been here for 18 years so I have a good customer base. [Compared to other years], it seems to be a bit later. But I don't know until Christmas Eve ends, really. You can't, until the final minute you don't know.”](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/15/16/43/Jane%20at%20Jewlery%20and%20PaperJay.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Jewellery and Paperjay
At Jewellery and Paperjay, Jane shared: “If you’d asked me last week, I’d have said awful. And then from Saturday, well last Friday, it’s getting much better. I’ve been here for 18 years so I have a good customer base. [Compared to other years], it seems to be a bit later. But I don't know until Christmas Eve ends, really. You can't, until the final minute you don't know.”
7. The Hot Sauce Emporium
At The Hot Sauce Emporium, Kieran said: "Christmas is always busy. So it’s about trying to keep the shelves stocked.”
8. Rules of Play
At Rules of Play, a board game shop that has been open since the end of 2017, manager Mike shared: “It's not been quite as positive as previous years. Like, I mean, this is a hobbyist luxury industry. Well, you know, we have regulars that buy things throughout the year and a customer base, but we do expect the Christmas period to be busier. This year has been busier, but not to the extent of previous years.”