The very best Christmas chalets radiating the most stunning and festive charm at Bath Christmas Market have been announced ahead of its final weekend.
The winner of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s competition to find the best dressed chalet is Hullabaloo, whose stall selling handmade wooden sound animals and musical instruments wowed the judges.
In joint second place were two traders joining the Christmas Market for the first time, eco-conscious homeware and jewellery maker Priormade and handmade ethical Christmas gift retailer, Kushty Locks.
The awards mark the most presentable chalets judged on best décor, lighting, display and customer service.
Lisa Bolitho from Hullabaloo said: “We are thrilled to get this award, it has been a very busy and successful Christmas Market for us. We’ve been coming here for years and what’s lovely is people come back to our stall year after year just to get another toy to add to their collections - it’s a Christmas tradition for lots of our customers.”
Joint runner up Beck Prior from Priormade said: “It is really good to be back and meet customers which you don’t do online and it’s lovely to get this award.”
Louise Watson, joint runner up from Kushty Locks, added: “It’s the first time we been to Bath Christmas Market and we will definitely be back next year. It has gone really well and we are delighted with our award.”
Bath Christmas Market runs until Sunday, December 11 with a busy final weekend expected. Visitors and residents are asked to plan their journeys accordingly.
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Bath Christmas Market has been a roaring success and we have already seen two busy weekends, with early indications that weekday and evening footfall is on the up. This coming weekend is the last chance to experience the magical delights that the market has to offer, so don’t miss out on visiting all the fantastic stalls which are a superb sight to behold. I’d like to congratulate our winners and all the traders for the wonderful experience they’ve created for residents and visitors this year.
“As expected at this time of year, this weekend is once again forecast to be very busy with a Bath Rugby match and England’s World Cup match on Saturday too. Please check out our travel advice to help you plan your journey in advance.”
Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall, council Chair, said: “The stallholders put so much effort into their chalets and we were particularly impressed by Hullabaloo, who went the extra mile to spread the Christmas magic in their fantastic display. Well done to all three winners.”
The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Rob Appleyard, added: “I was very pleased to present a Bath Aqua Glass bowl, sponsored by the Charter Trustees of the City of Bath, to Lisa at Hullabaloo winning the 'Mayor's Award for the Best Chalet 2022'. I am also delighted that two small businesses with ethical and eco credentials have been named runners-up in the best dressed chalet competition. Priormade and Kushty Locks both went above and beyond with their stall designs, adding even more sparkle to this year’s fabulous market.”
Bath Christmas Market is in its 20th anniversary year and features more than 170 stalls offering exciting and unique festive gifts, food and drink. For more information, including opening hours and travel instructions, visit bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.