A GARDEN centre has announced the return of "late nights" with live performances and German beer at its popular Christmas market.
The market has been hugely popular since it was first hosted in 2015, inspired by the traditional Christmas markets in Germany with more than 30 stalls offering seasonal treats and unique yuletide gifts and decorations.
As the market has returned with shoppers hailing this year's offering as better than ever, bosses have announced its late nights at the German Market will be returning.
From Wednesday, November 20, the market will be closing at 9pm on select dates for late-night shopping, live performances from Rayleigh Brass and a Market Tavern for customers to grab a German beer and Gluhwein - more commonly known as mulled wine.
The late night schedule is as follows:
- Wednesday, November 20
- Thursday, November 21
- Wednesday, November 27
- Thursday, November 28
- Wednesday, December 4
- Thursday, December 5
- Wednesday, December 11
- Thursday, December 12
The German Market stalls are handcrafted by garden centre owner Roland Smith, each adorned with handpicked, high-quality artisan products including carved wooden decorations, delicate glassware and baubles, traditional cuckoo clocks, scandinavian gonks and much more.
Each year, the garden centre bosses go out to Germany to find new crafts and suppliers and many of the products on the stalls are hand-produced by craftsmen they have met personally.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here