Big Wheel arrives at Bolton

A huge travelling fairground wheel will be spinning into Bolton town centre this Christmas. Bolton Council will be bringing a 100 foot Ferris wheel to Victoria Square as part of a bumper festive package to attract thousands of shoppers over the festive period. The giant wheel will be in town from Thursday, December 12th and it is thought that it will be the only one located in Greater Manchester during winter. The ride, which can seat 144 people, will offer a bird’s eye view of the rolling Pennine countryside when people reach the top of the wheel and it will be lit up brightly in the evening. Other highlights of the town centre festive programme include the return of the popular 200 square metre ice rink and a free Santa’s grotto on Victoria Square from November 30th. A speciality market on Newport Street from December 12th to 15th, a chance to meet real reindeer, and street entertainment will also be laid on to pull in the crowds. Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said he is confident that the ride and other attractions will be a hit. “The giant wheel is a fantastic addition to the town centre and something that is sure to appeal to people of all ages. “We know how popular these attractions are from places like Manchester and Liverpool. This particular wheel is one of the biggest of its kind which travels around the country and it has visited locations including Leeds and the Etihad stadium in Manchester. “Together with everything else we’ve got happening, it really will be a winter wonderland experience not to be missed,” he added. Crompton Place Manager, Malcolm Angus, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the council to deliver a healthy dose of festive fun and Christmas cheer for the town. “Crompton Place is at the heart of the community and we are always keen to lend our support to events like this which encourage people to come and make the most of all the great shopping which Bolton has to offer. “While parents are doing their Christmas shopping with us, there will also be the opportunity to bag one of 300 family tickets for a free ride on the giant wheel and skating for an hour on the ice rink when shoppers spend £30 or more in one go at the participating Crompton Place retailers.” From December 12th, the wheel will open: Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 7.30pm; Sundays 11am to 5.30pm; Monday to Wednesday from 11am to 5.30pm. The wheel will be open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 11am to 4pm. It will be closed on Christmas Day. The ride costs: £3.50 for adults; £2.00 for under- 16s, and £2.50 for senior citizens and students. Family tickets at £7 cover two adults and two children or one adult and three children. Joint tickets for the giant wheel and ice rink can also be purchased. Discounts apply and prices vary. Tickets can be bought online from www.visitbolton.com from Monday, October 28th and in person from box offices on Victoria Square when the attractions open. Bolton Market is also looking for quality festive crafts, gifts and decorations traders for a four day specility market taking place from Thursday, December 12th to Sunday, December 15th. Opening times vary and deadline for traders to apply is October 30th. Contact bolton. markets@bolton.gov.uk for more information.
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Here’s to getting paid wherever you do business

Every business wants to win every sale. Yet countless traders are in effect holding up a huge ‘closed’ sign by not taking credit and debit card payments. It’s understandable. Taking card payments has been expensive and inflexible for years. If your sales vary, you don’t want to commit to a long term contract and hefty fees. Yet if you don’t take cards, you risk your customers going to a rival that does. PayPal Here is an affordable way to take cards. The new PayPal Here app and card reader lets you accept credit card, debit card and PayPal payments wherever you do business. There are no monthly fees, just a oneoff charge of £99 for the card reader and then a small fee when you take a card or PayPal payment. You connect the card reader to your iPhone, iPad or Android phone via Bluetooth to accept payments, making PayPal Here ideal for traders who visit customers or trade at markets and exhibitions. The PayPal Here card reader includes the highest standards of Chip and PIN technology. And it carries PayPal’s name, providing reassurance to your customers, who are likely to be very familiar with PayPal. To find out more, please visitwww.paypal.co.uk/here
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The new NABMA team elected in Torquay

Councillor Kevan Wainwright of Halton Borough Council was unveiled as the new Nabma President at the Annual General Meeting. At the AGM the new president spoke of his delight at becoming President and highlighted the huge success of the past year, particularly Love Your Local Market and Market of the Year.

The President is very keen to visit Nabma markets during the year and if you have a special event then please contact the Nabma office. Nabma’s 2013 Annual Conference was held in Torquay once again, five years after previously visiting South Devon’s beautiful bay. All who attended were treated to the amazing views the Puma Imperial Hotel had to offer and the fantastic services of their staff. The two day conference played host to a range of quality speakers, all sharing their ideas, experiences and information with regards to their markets or services. As well as the days being packed with events, the evenings were just as eventful, with a Caribbean themed evening and Buffet on the first night and the Nabma Awards Dinner on the second. The Awards Dinner sees Nabma make a series of awards in recognition of achievement in the market sector in 2013. Blachere Illumination sponsor the Market Officer, Market Team and Market Innovation of the Year Awards and also, for the first team, Market Trade News sponsored the Nabma/ MTN Award 2013 in recognition of Outstanding Service to the Market Industry. The first award of the evening went to Andy Ward, Head of Markets at Sheffield, who was awarded the Market Manager of the Year title. Andy was one of many nominations for this top accolade and it recognises his reputation in the sector, his leadership of the new Sheffield Market development and his long standing help and support to the training and professional development of the industry.

Other awards were: 
Nabma/Blachere Award for the Markets Team of the Year went to - London Borough of Bromley.

Nabma/Blachere Award for the Market Innovation of the Year went to - The MyBarnsley AP

The Nabma/Market Trade News Award for an outstanding contribution to the markets industry went to – Ann Coffey MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliament Group. Unfortunately Ann could not make it to the awards ceremony, however the award will be presented to her at a later date.

Also at the Awards Dinner, Nabma and all in attendants, celebrated a number of student successes with presentations of their Diploma in Markets Management. The Awards and Diploma receive sponsorship from Market place Europe, to which Nabma are thankful to Allan Hartwell and Ian Hill for their investment in providing quality training to the industry. 

The successful candidates were: Lisa York of the London Borough of Bromley Tracey Harnett of Kirklees MBC Sarah Sweeting of Kirklees MBC Joanne Reagan of Calderdale MBC Annette Lebreton of Medway District Council James Peart of Leeds City Council Marie Shaw of Burnley District Council Stephen Wooley of Peterborough City Council The Nabma Conference also saw the ‘End of an Era’ with Training Officer Dennis Wardle retiring from his position. True testament was paid to Dennis when he received a standing ovation from all in attendance upon his acceptance of a gift on behalf of the Association to recognise his retirement. Dennis enjoyed a long standing career as Head of Markets at Derby Council, was a staunch member and Officer with the Institute of Market Officers and over the last few years fulfilled the Training Officer role with Nabma, leading on the launch and delivery of the Diploma in Markets Management. The Nabma Annual Conference was a huge success and all the hard work put in to running the event really paid off, with everyone attending having a brilliant time and creating a fantastic atmosphere for all.

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Altrincham Christmas Programme showcases Town’s unique offer

With a little over six weeks until Christmas, Altrincham’s Christmas Programme is swinging into action with the launch of the Altrincham Forward Christmas website – www.altyxmas.co.uk

Altrincham at Christmas is even more exciting this year with the launch a fantastic new Great British Christmas Market on Sunday’s and the popular Thursday Twilight markets are back!

Altrincham Town Centre Manager, Paul Armstrong said: “There’s a jam packed programme of events and shopping experiences taking place in Altrincham this year meaning local people don’t have to go far to find those unique gifts or to simply absorb some festive cheer.  With late night shopping on Thursday’s throughout December in the Stamford Quarter until 8pm and the market a hive of festive entertainment and treats from 14^th November, there’s no other place to visit – Altrincham truly has a unique offer.”

Paul paid a visit this week, along with the Mayor of Trafford Cllr Dylan Butt, to the Village Toy Company on Stamford New Road - Altrincham’s magical independent toy shop, which has been trading in Altrincham for nearly a year.  

Owner of the Village Toy Company and Altrincham resident, Lisa McCarthy, said: “This will be our first full Christmas period in business and will be by far the busiest time of year for us. We have worked hard to establish ourselves as a destination toy shop over the past year and, as an independent retailer, give customers something a little bit different. On Saturday 30 November we will be celebrating our first birthday by offering a 10% discount to shoppers.”

The website is a ‘one-stop-shop’ of information and listings showcasing what Altrincham has to offer this Christmas – with new events and offers being added all the time. Visit www.altyxmas.co.uk or follow @altrinchamFWD on Twitter.

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Pudsey goes to Market

Shoppers on Blackburn Market had fun posing for photos with Pudsey Bear in aid of BBC Children in Need.  The famous furry fundraising bear paraded round the stalls collecting loose change, whilst families were offered face painting and teddy bear themed crafts. The event raised £130 towards this year's appeal.

The event was part of an exciting new programme of free activities aimed at families in the lead up to Christmas which will include theatre sideshows, choir performances, a community art wall as well as make and take craft sessions.  The next events will celebrate Lancashire Day with a Lancashire folk group and a community mural in the style of the iconic Lancashire artist, L S Lowry.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, Executive Member for Regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council says she wants the market to become a hub for the community where people enjoy more than just shopping.  

‘We want to create a vibrant space which will attract a younger profile customer who will be enticed by the quality service and interaction with the traders, value for money prices and the great atmosphere.  Our events will be free, create a buzz in the market and give added value to the shopping experience.’

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