Sheffield's popular Sharrow Vale Market has gone virtual to help stallholders in lockdown

Sharrow Vale Market, which started in 2009 and is usually held three times annually, has only taken place physically once in 2020 with social distancing measures in place in August.

Its Christmas edition was set to be held on December 6, but this has been called off by organisers the Sharrow Vale Community Association.

However, the group has now created an online version of the market on its website, complete with the details of traders who often run stalls at the event. People who would have visited in December are being encouraged to ‘shop local’ and support independent businesses.

"Sadly, but unsurprisingly, we are unable to hold the Sharrow Vale Christmas market this year,” said Anne Holt, from the community association.

"So, in an effort to help compensate, we have created a ‘virtual’ market with links to many of our regular traders. The aim of this virtual market is to showcase the wide variety of stallholders who make this market so popular and also hopefully to generate some much-needed trade in these difficult times.”

At the last count there were more than 60 businesses on the list, including Pakistani cuisine specialist Aamirs Street Food, Beaumont Bags, the Sheffield Candle Company, Loxley Brewery, Mr French Soap and Tipsy Tower cards.

The market normally runs from the Hunters Bar roundabout to the forecourt of Hawley’s Tyres on Sharrow Vale Road, incorporating the Dyson Place development.

Traditionally around 100 stalls sell a variety of local produce, hot food, crafts, clothing and plants, starting at midday and finishing at 4pm. Nearby shops, pubs and cafes open to cater for attendees too.

Organisers hope to bring back the proper market in spring 2021.

Earlier this year Condé Nast Traveller magazine selected Sharrow Vale as one of the country’s ‘coolest neighbourhoods’, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ancoats in Manchester and Aigburth in Liverpool.

"Southern Sharrow Vale is a curious example of how suburbia has become cool,” the publication said.

Visit http://sharrowvalemarket.co.uk/virtual-market for details.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.