Articles by Christopher Megrath

Business

Sneak peek as Liverpool Christmas Market prepares to open

The Liverpool Christmas Markets return tomorrow for another festive shopping experience. Despite the wind and rain, organisers are raring to go with the St George's Plateau completely transformed for the launch. The eagerly awaited market is a winter highlight across the city and returning to St George's Plateau until Wednesday, December 24. The annual market draws in thousands of visitors each year, and with the event running until Christmas Eve, shoppers have plenty of time to visit and soak up the atmosphere. Clarke Events , the organisers behind the market, bring an array of stallholders and traders, offering a huge range of handmade items, continental eats and festive drinks. The organisers have teased this will be the "best year yet." Barriers have been set up around the vicinity preventing early shoppers from getting inside before the big opening. Final touches are being places on the markets with the Giant Wheel, Windmill bar and fun fair attractions towering over the area. There will be a range of fully stocked bars with the Alpine, Tipi Tent, Barrel Bars, Windmill, Apres Ski venues making a return. Expect traditional hot cider, mulled wine, beer, or something different like hot chocolate, coffee, bubble tea, and soft drinks. You can also enjoy live entertainment, rides and a giant Ferris wheel. There is something for everyone, such as Santa Land for little ones, including the beautiful traditional carousel and so much more. Expect traders offering unique items such as jewellery, Christmas ornaments, hand-crafted leather journals, woollen wear, unique art, hand-painted creative gifts, bottles of festive tipple, delicious cheese, and much more. Alongside the usual market, a massive festive programme will run across three historic city centre venues. All the information you need about this year's Christmas festivities is already available , with many more exciting announcements expected in the coming weeks. If you're arriving in Liverpool by train, the markets are a short distance from Liverpool Lime Street, where Northern Rail and National Rail services call. There's also a Merseyrail station at Lime Street if you’re coming from Wirral or wish to change to Liverpool Central, Moorfields or James Street. If you’re driving into the city, there's parking nearby at St John's Shopping Centre, the Q-Park at Queen Square and Mount Pleasant Car Park. For sat navs, the address and postcode for St George's Plateau is St George's Pl, Liverpool L1 1JJ.