WITH the festive period fast approaching, demand for chalets at this year’s Christmas Market has been high.

Last month, inSwindon, which is responsible for running the town centre, announced that chalets for the market were available to hire.

Demand has been high and on Friday the company announced there were only a few left for traders to hire.

Organisers are looking to build on last year’s market and promise there will be something for everyone, whether it is gifts for the family or a small present for the office Secret Santa.

Di Powell, office manager at inSwindon, said: “We want to build upon last year’s market and offer a wide range of unique Christmas gifts, garden sculptures, jewellery, stocking fillers, homemade preserves and much more.

“Markets are truly magical around this time, bringing a traditional feel to the town amidst a time of joy and cheer as the build up to Christmas is well under way. The illuminated chalets look fabulous in the darkened winter evenings, where shoppers fill the town centre searching for the perfect gifts for their loved ones.”

The market will run from December 4 for just over two weeks, finishing on December 21, and will be located along Canal Walk.

Traders will be able to book a chalet for the whole of the market trading period or just for several days. Some traders are only booking out a stall for a short period of time, so inSwindon believes the market will be able to increase its variety.

Over the past few years there have been a number of problems surrounding the Christmas Market. In 2012 it had to be cancelled following issues surrounding the licensing of street markets in Swindon.

These were resolved last year but only with a few months notice so while a market was held, it was put together in a short amount of time.

But with these problems now solved, inSwindon is hoping that – combined with the Christmas lights switch-on – Swindon will be able to pull in lots of festive shoppers.

Anyone who is interested in hiring a stall, or would like further information, can contact dpow ell@inswindon.com for details.