Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre Christmas Market

Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre Christmas Market
Jane Bottomley from Fancy Jane's Cakes

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The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre has been helping shoppers with their last minute Christmas shopping by holding a Christmas market.

The market, which has been running since Thursday 18 December, includes a variety of stalls from handmade cards and cakes to bows and jewellery.

Cath Turner, from Made With a Smile, said: “We have been involved with the Christmas market before and it is usually a good one to do. There are a lot of people around and having a look so that’s good.”

Janet Bower, from Janet’s Cards, said: “I am part of the craft fairs all year so it made sense to do the Christmas market. It's been a good day. It is busier than it usually is and I think the foot fall has really increased this year.”

Vanessa Rees, who was selling handmade bows and accessories, said: “With me being local to Rochdale I thought it would be a good event to get involved with. I often do these type of events and this one has been good.”

Jane Bottomley, from Fancy Jane’s Cakes, had a stall at the market on Saturday (20 December) and said: “For me it has been quiet but there has been a lot of foot fall and people having a look around. We used to do the market when it was run elsewhere so we have just come with it to the Wheatsheaf and stuck with it.”

Healthy Minds, a provider of health and support for people struggling to cope with mood, stress, anxiety and depression were also at the event offering help and support to people.

Kamer Shoabi, from Healthy Minds, said: “We often try and take part in these kinds of events because people don’t really know about us and often struggle to find something that can help with what they are feeling. We tend to see more referrals from things like these events than any other way.”

Healthy Minds offers a range of services from online self-help courses to therapy sessions or group workshops.

Saiqa Naz, from Healthy Minds, added: “It really is just about raising awareness and telling people that we are here and getting involved with the community.”

The market will be held in the shopping centre until Christmas Eve.