Christmas market to accompany Clonmel on Ice for two weekends in December
Clonmel Business Improvement District CEO is inviting local traders interested in running a stall at the market to contact her
A Christmas market will accompany the Clonmel on Ice rink at Market Place for the two final weekends before Christmas Day and local businesses are being invited to operate stalls at the venture.
Clonmel Business Improvement District (BID) CEO May Stokes has invited traders interested in selling their goods and services at the Christmas market on the weekends of December 12 and 13 and 19 and 20 to contact her.
May said the outdoor market will operate in Market Place outside Clonmel on Ice, which will be located in the vacant former Superquinn/SuperValu premises.
“The market will add to the whole festive atmosphere around Clonmel on Ice and will encourage people to come down and spend some time in the centre of the town. We are working to make the most of the ice rink in its first year.”
She said Clonmel BID will assist vendors with obtaining a casual trading licence to run a stand at the market.
Meanwhile, five stalls ranging from hot and cold non-alcoholic drinks and sweet treats traders to photography, Christmas gifts and crafts sellers will be located inside the Clonmel on Ice premises throughout the period the rink operates from mid-November to mid-January.
May said they have received a lot of applications from local businesses to run the indoor stalls in the rink. Priority is being given to Clonmel ratepayers who pay the Clonmel BID levy.
“There will be a wide range of offerings. If you are coming to Clonmel on Ice you will need something to do if you are not going onto the ice," she pointed out.
The rink will open at Market Place's anchor supermarket premises on Saturday, November 14 and operate seven days a week up to and including Sunday, January 10. It will be operated by the company behind South Dublin On Ice, Point Village On Ice, Sligo On Ice and Malahide On Ice
May said the ice rink company reports bookings are flying in for skating sessions. "We hope to get over 20,000 people through the ice rink between November and January.”
Schools are welcome to book groups in for sessions on the ice rink. May is visiting local schools this week to spread the word about Clonmel on Ice.
May reports they have received a number of corporate bookings for Christmas staff outings.
She points out Clonmel on Ice is also an ideal birthday party venue. There will be seating and tables at the ice rink for party food for birthday groups and a list of local restaurants offering kids’ meals that can be ordered and delivered to the rink.
May urged Clonmel businesses to make the most of the extra visitors Clonmel on Ice will bring into the town centre by running special promotions, meal deals, discounts and extending their opening hours to encourage people to eat, drink and shop in the town before or after their visit to the rink.