Royston Christmas Market to return to town this month

The market will be held on Market Hill on Saturday, December 16. Mulled wine and refreshments will be available, and shoppers can enter a raffle prize draw with prizes donated by traders.

There has been a market in town since the first stalls were chartered in 1189, although it used to be based around Ermine Street before moving to its current location.

Royston market manager Rob Mills (Image: Clive Porter)

Current market manager Rob Mills took over in 2019, and with the help of Royston First BID expanded the existing market, which trades on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Some of the current traders have been operating in the town for many years - including F. E. Tucker & Sons, a three-generation family fish and shellfish business, founded in 1956.

Fish is sold by F. E. Tucker & Sons (Image: Clive Porter)

Sharman's Flowers have been trading at Royston Market twice weekly for more than 60 years. They sell cut flowers, topiary and bedding plants, with Christmas wreaths sold at this time of year.

St Ives Wholesale Produce at Royston Market (Image: Clive Porter)

St Ives Wholesale Produce Ltd sells fruit and vegetables, and has been trading for 20 years, while Ken Smith sells models and Beanie Babies and Johanne Barnaby from Bassingbourn sells a range of women's clothing.

Ken Smith sells die-cast models at the market (Image: Clive Porter)

Julie Emmerson runs Nixnox, which sells handbags and accessories, to raise money for The Nicola Emmerson Trust.

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The trust raises funds to promote awareness of cardiac deaths in young people, and was named in memory of Julie's daughter Nicola, who died while out celebrating her 20th birthday.

Julie Emmerson runs Nixnox at Royston Market (Image: Clive Porter)

The Christmas Market will also sell fresh bread and meat, and new traders are encouraged to take up future market pitches.

Rob Mills extended a warm welcome to both new and established customers, saying: "On our Christmas Market there will be free cakes and mulled wine on offer with a free entry to a prize draw where hampers of food can be won, all donated by Royston’s wonderful traders.

"And if you’re feeling peckish try one of our all day breakfasts or brunch at our Pop Up Café. The Market opens at 8am and closes about 3pm."

St Ives Wholesale Produce sells fruit and veg at Royston Market (Image: Clive Porter)