THE ORGANISERS of the popular artisan market in Dorset are to celebrate their second anniversary with a bumper two day Christmas market and the opening of their new shop in Bournemouth.

South Coast Makers Market are to host their Winter Weekender event, on Saturday December 5 and Sunday December 6, featuring 70 stalls run by independent businesses including Bad Hand Coffee, Purbeck Cider and Bakehouse 24.

Jo Foy, one of the three founders of South Coast Makers Market said: “Despite having 10 events cancelled this year we have much to celebrate.”

“Our artisan market has been going from strength to strength this year at The Loading Dock, behind The Avenue Bournemouth.

“It is the ideal location to run socially distanced markets with a one-way system, timed entries, pre-bookable tickets and plenty of indoor and outdoor flow.

“Our Winter Weekender will feature have a two-day line of artisan food, drink and gifts from the area’s best small, independent brands.

“We have 70 stalls booked with a different line up of makers each day.”

The owners of the market event, sisters Jo and Kat Foy and Adam Brierley, have also announced that they are to open the doors of their new pop up shop and shared working space on Saturday December 5, which will stay open until Christmas Eve.

The shop, located in The Avenue in Bournemouth, will feature the work of 80 makers and will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Jo added: The pop-up shop and workshop emporium, will be a creative hub, showcasing the work of over 80 local makers and small handmade brands for the month of December.

“We’ll be running a series of late-night shopping events, plus Christmas craft workshops for all ages including cracker, wreath and bauble making.

“Next year, we are expanding and will be bringing our markets to Lyme Regis and Southampton as well as lots of exciting plans for trading in Bournemouth.”

As well as producing an online curated directory of local independent businesses, South Coast Makers Market have created the areas only Loyalty card, offering discounts at 70 independent businesses across the county.

For £15 a year, customers will receive a Keep it Local card, a monthly newsletter of offers and discounts from sustainable, independent businesses and a free South Coast Makers cotton shopping bag.

South Coast Makers Market are also hosting an arts competition to celebrate their second birthday, for children to design a greeting card.

The three founders will choose six winning designs to be printed as greeting cards which they will sell in 2021 at our markets.

All profits from these sales will go to Michael's House homeless hostel in Boscombe.

The winning artist will win a pot of Unicorn Milk paint + a watercolour palette donated by Dorset artist Stuart Semple from Culture Hustle, plus 10 greeting cards printed with their own artwork.

The five runners up will each win a £5 gift voucher to spend at Artcetera in Pokesdown plus 10 greeting cards printed with their own artwork.

To find out more about the Winter Weekender event, the pop-up shop or enter the market’s art competition, visit https://southcoastmakers.com/.