Christmas arrives at the Beacon of Light with festive fair to support local traders

Over 40 local traders have been at the Beacon of Light for the North East Christmas Fayre.

Transcript

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00:10 >> Okay, just tell me what the Christmas fair's all about and

00:15 how you're pleased with the turnout today.

00:17 >> Certainly, well the event is called the Northeast Christmas Fair.

00:21 It's the second year we've run it.

00:22 It's the first time we've had it here at the Beacon of Light here in Sunderland.

00:26 It's an opportunity for local artisan crafts traders and

00:31 food traders to sell their goods, their wares, products, or

00:36 even just create awareness of what those guys do.

00:39 Obviously, local, whether it be a local event, it's for the local community.

00:43 We've got people from all across the region who have attended today, and

00:47 turnout-wise been phenomenal.

00:49 We have close to 1,000 people being through the doors here today,

00:52 which is wonderful, so we're all delighted with that.

00:54 >> How many traders you got here, roughly?

00:56 >> We're at capacity here on the ground floor, because we're using the atrium,

00:59 which is known as the street, here at the Beacon of Light.

01:02 We've got 41 traders here, which, as I say, is capacity.

01:06 Next year, we'll look to put more on the second floor, the level up, and

01:11 we'll see if we can double that capacity.

01:13 >> Today's small business day.

01:15 How important is it we support our local traders?

01:17 >> Definitely.

01:18 It's far too easy to place orders online now with larger corporations.

01:23 Keeping it local is a fantastic way of keeping money within the community,

01:27 isn't it, and keeping local jobs here in the region.

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