PRESS RELEASE

EXETER CHRISTMAS MARKET

Exeter Cathedral is delighted to announce that for the first time it will host a Christmas Market on Cathedral Green this year.

The Market will run from Friday 23 November until Sunday 16 December. It will be open from 10am until 8pm on Monday to Wednesday, from 10am until 9pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 11am until 5pm on a Sunday. The Market will be run by Market Place Europe Limited.

The Cathedral Green, at the heart of the city centre, will be brought to life by the Market, with stalls offering unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food items - everything needed for a perfect Christmas celebration and to create a real Christmas buzz at the heart of the city. Although inspired by Continental Markets, the majority of traders on the Exeter Christmas Market will represent the best of what Britain and the South West region has to offer - with a mix of great food, excellent crafts, unique gifts and decorations.

The Very Revd Jonathan Draper, Dean of Exeter, said:"The Cathedral occupies a special place in the heart of Exeter. It has been the focus of life in the city for centuries, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Exeter City Council, Market Place Europe and the city centre business community to develop a high-quality Christmas Market with our most iconic building as its backdrop. We look forward to welcoming Exeter residents and city visitors to The Close to enjoy the atmosphere of this unique Market, which will end with the Exeter Nativity Procession, signalling the start of our celebration of the Birth of Jesus and this special season of the year."

Councillor Pete Edwards, Leader of Exeter City Council, said: "I'm delighted that Exeter will see its first large scale Christmas Market this year. The agreement to go ahead with the Market is the result of really hard work between the Cathedral, the City Council and its business partners and I know the Market will provide a real boost for city centre businesses in the run-up to Christmas this year. The Christmas Market will become a great annual attraction for the city centre and, alongside the city centre's exciting retail and restaurant offer, will provide a really good reason to do your Christmas shopping in Exeter this year."

Derek Phillips, Vice President of Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership, said: "The Christmas Market will offer a unique attraction for those visiting the Heart of Devon and Exeter this November and December, providing a boost for local hoteliers, retailers, cafes and restaurants.The Christmas Market represents an opportunity to attract large numbers of additional visitors and shoppers in to the city centre in the run-up to Christmas.The Christmas Market will provide another reason to stay in this beautiful part of Devon in the run-up to Christmas and provide a significant boost to day visitor numbers."

Nick Rhodes, Chief Executive of Market Place Europe Limited, said: "We'd be delighted to hear from any local business that's interested in taking space on the Exeter Christmas Market. We're really pleased to be working with our local Exeter partners on the Christmas Market and see it as a great opportunityto showcase fantastic local and regional businesses. TheMarket Place Europe team look forward to hearing from a myriad of businesses interested in taking space within the Market."

- ENDS -

For further information please contact:

John Harvey, City Centre Manager - Tel: 07885 760 496, Email:john.harvey@exeter.gov.uk, Twitter:http://www.Twitter.com/ExeterCCM

Laurence Blyth, Events Co-ordinator, Exeter Cathedral - Tel: 01392 285978, Email:events@exeter-cathedral.org.uk, Twitter:http://www.Twitter.com/ExeterCathedral

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1.Market Place Europe Limited(http://www.marketplaceeurope.co.uk). MPEL run a range of Christmas and other specialty markets throughout the UK and have extensive experience of the development, administration and management of markets within the UK and throughout Europe backed by a wealth of individual knowledge and supported by a unique network of experienced professionals. MPEL has both a national and international profile developed through its relationships and membership of:

• • The Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) where it has been the recognised market company within the organisations Regional Access Programme.

  • The National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).

  • The World Union of Wholesale Markets Retail Group (WUWM).

2.Dates/Operating Times

The Market will run from Friday 23 November until Sunday 16 December.

The Market will be open from

• 10am - 8pm on Monday to Wednesday

• 10am - 9pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday

• 11am - 5pm on a Sunday.

On 23 November the Market will open from lunchtime until 10pm.

3.Trader Contacts

Businesses interested in taking part in the Exeter Christmas Market should contact the Market Place Europe Limited team on 0161 637 2523.