Virtual Northampton Christmas market set up to support local businesses and offer gift ideas

A virtual Northampton Christmas market has been set up to help support local businesses who may have had a tough year and offer shoppers gift ideas.

The virtual market is run through a Facebook group that was set up just over a week ago and already has more than 1,000 members.

In the lead up to Christmas, businesses will post about gift ideas for buyers, who have also joined the group, to browse through - much like a standard festive market.

The virtual market has been organised by bosses from The Little Farm Shop, a company started in East Hunsbury, which has been delivering eggs, flour and more during lockdown.

Chloe Southgate, director of The Little Farm Shop and organiser of the market, said: “We’ve had such incredible support from the community for our business and we know some local businesses have had a tough year, so we wanted to do this to support the community and give back.

“We already have a lot of sellers involved so now we are trying to get more buyers interested.

“Anyone is welcome and we may even keep it going and turn it into a normal market in the new year.

“I know a few Christmas markets will go ahead and some people will attend them, but the majority of people, particularly older people, are just not wanting to go out and take a risk.

“So if you can shop from the comfort of your own home and support local businesses, why not?”

Most of the businesses on the virtual market can organise contactless deliveries for customers to keep them safe.

To shop the Christmas market, search Northampton’s Virtual Christmas Market on Facebook.

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