Moor Market traders in Sheffield lure customers back after lockdown with £10,000 Christmas giveaway

Some 2,000 vouchers worth £5 will be handed out in a bid to spread goodwill and drive up footfall after a terrible year.

The Great Christmas Giveaway launches on Thursday 10 December.

Click here and register to be sent a QR code voucher by email that can be used on any stall.

After a month when all but essential shops were closed, the 70-stall venue is fully open again.

Businesses who have clung on throughout 2020 are hoping the lifting of lockdown, the start of Christmas shopping and the giveaway will provide the boost they desperately need.

At the same time, there will also be a ‘huge array’ of one-off deals in the run up to the big day, and a special stand-alone ‘Twelve Deals of Christmas’ promotion ‘to knock your Christmas stockings off’.

Stallholders also insist the venue is safer then a supermarket, with strict limits on numbers, and they say they reopening will be welcomed by those who like quality, low prices, expertise - and a chat.

Some 200 vouchers have been reserved for those who are shielding or quarantining and cannot attend in person. They can be redeemed using new online shop Chefchef.store which combines the best stalls in one delivery.

The Great Christmas Giveaway comes after traders joined forces with market management.

Coun Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, parks and leisure at Sheffield City Council, said it was a way of giving something back to customers after a very tough year.

“The markets have worked hard to create a safe shopping experience, traders have been here throughout the pandemic, adapting and going the extra mile to support customers.

“Although we have still seen thousands of customers shopping in the market or online, money is tight for many and the uncertainty caused by coronavirus is reducing spend as well as actual visits.

“Our aim is to encourage more people to shop here, whether that’s for gifts, goodies or groceries and generally boost awareness.”

Wayne Osborne, of Mick’s Grade ‘A’ Meats, said the market’s famed banter and personal touch hadn’t changed.

“You can get the majority of the things you can get in the supermarkets here, but with added expertise and fun.”

Julia Hart, deputy markets manager, said for every £1 spent in the market, 63p goes straight back into the Sheffield economy, compared to as little as 5p at supermarkets.

She added: “Our traders are happy to give cooking advice and to have a chat with anyone that wants to stop for a natter - it’s just a totally different shopping experience.”

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