SWINDON shoppers have been promised a great experience next year with markets offering good quality produce and goods.

The news comes after disappointment this year over the absence of a traditional market in the town centre.

This week inSwindon has indicated that shoppers might not be so disappointed next year.

A spokesman for the company said: “We have introduced two new artisan markets this year. The Christmas Artisan Market, which took place on December 9, was a great success, with footfall up 13 per cent week on week.

“We also received positive feedback from the public and businesses.

“We hope to build on this for 2018 and create a regular market to complement the town centre offer, where visitors enjoy a great experience with good quality produce and goods.”

Shoppers this year said they had hoped for a Christmas tree in Wharf Green and Christmas markets in the town centre.

Martin Moore, 54, from North Swindon, said he thought Christmas markets would have been the perfect addition to the town centre.

“It would have been good to have been able to buy some Christmas trinkets from stallholders,” he said.

“They also add a bit of festive feeling and remind you that it’s Christmas.”

“I know we have had markets here in the past, but it’s a shame they haven’t been able to continue.”

In 2015 shoppers were left frustrated when it was announced that the markets would not be appearing due to the organising company pulling out at the last minute.

For a couple of years beforehand, Canal Walk had been filled with chalets selling a variety of stocking-fillers.

But since then, inSwindon has been unable to bring traditional Christmas markets to the town.

They introduced a couple of artisan markets this year but none to rival the traditional Christmas markets routinely seen in other places.

The market in Bristol this year ran from December 1 to December 23, while Oxford’s lasted for 10 days in December.

The market in Bath ran from November 26 to December 10, and Gloucester’s Enchanted Christmas Market from November 27 right through to Christmas Eve.

Jen Williams, 32, from Liden, said: “It’s disappointing, Christmas markets are always nice.

“It means you have to travel outside Swindon if you want to visit them, which isn’t good for the town.

“We should be bringing people in, not making them go somewhere else.”

For the latest town centre news, events and offers visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk