Lincolnshire Food & Gift Fair welcomes 8,500 visitors as Christmas countdown begins 28 Nov
The Fair, returning for its 16th year, provides a full Christmas experience for visitors with over 150 exhibitors, live cookery and cocktail making demonstrations in The Lincolnshire Kitchen, choir performances and new for this year, hands-on activities for children in Santa’s Workshop – plus a visit from Father Christmas himself.
The Fair has steadily increased in popularity over the last 16 years, and last year the team celebrated an impressive 20% increase in visitor numbers. The increased footfall has established the Fair as a firm favourite on the festive calendar, and exhibitor spaces for this year sold out faster than ever before.
Charley Watkins from The Duck Truck, makes time to explore the Fair despite their being busy selling the popular wraps from their mobile catering unit, “We trade regularly here and meet some fantastic customers. What I love most about this event is the range of unusual and excellent quality products – I always do most of my Christmas shopping here!”
It was the first time Grantham-based company Fudged Up had exhibited at the Fair, with their variety of flavoured fudges selling out on both days. Phil Bushell, Co-founder, said “We had a really successful weekend, even better than expected. The beauty of our product is that people can try it, and its popularity meant we had to go back and make more overnight! The fact that we sold out was incredible.”
Jayne Southall, CEO of Lincolnshire Showground, said: “We were delighted to once welcome more than 8,500 visitors to start their Christmas celebrations at the Food and Gift Fair this weekend. We love being able to offer customers a great selection of their favourite local produce, mixed in with handmade gifts and a few unusual finds.
We introduced our new children’s area, Santa’s Workshop, this year to give our little shoppers even more to see and do, and the feedback has been fantastic.
We’re really grateful to all of the businesses that support us with this event as it’s a real festive, family, fun day out all under one roof.”
The Lincolnshire Food & Gift Fair returns in 2017 on 2nd and 3rd December.
