A virtual market set up to help local businesses gain visibility this Christmas has ‘opened’ with a live stream experience on Instagram this wekend.

The Dales Christmas Market website is now live and ‘visitors’ can browse all stalls as well as purchase gifts and vouchers for loved ones. The market runs right through to Sunday and will include a series of Instagram Live sessions with vendors, including a food demo with Elizabeth Fawcett of Humble Pie Cookery Kitchen as part of Stir-up Sunday.

The virtual event, which showcases more than 30 businesses across a range of categories including jewellery, art, children’s gifts and stationery, seeks to replicate a Christmas feel even in its website design with each vendor having their own wooden hut.

The event is being run by local business network, Dales Business Women, primarily to provide an opportunity to promote its members' businesses, but also businesses in the broader region. 

Dales Business Women founder, Sharon Davis, says a lot of hard work has gone into the event and is encouraging locals to shop small this Christmas: ‘Though we find ourselves in challenging times, we're also presented with new opportunities and it's my hope that as the retail landscape evolves, we can make intentional decisions about how we shop.

‘So we're encouraging you to shop small this Christmas, but then also consider making small and sustainable changes to your shopping habits afterwards too. By doing this, the many talented businesses across our region can continue to flourish, even through these hard times.’

Shop at the market directly via the website and join the Instagram Live streams by following the account: @daleschristmasmarket.