The curriculum’s two learning companies, The Eventors and Visionize, organised and delivered the event at the Derby Road campus, which was open to staff and students.
The Eventors are well-versed in event organisation and management, and running the festive fair is just one of the large-scale events that they have in their student portfolio. Meanwhile fellow students who operate under the company name of Visionize, held a stall full of their own personalised merchandise for sale, including hoodies, power banks, notebooks and pens.
Stalls were selling a range of hand-made decorations, wreaths and Christmas cards as well as toys and books. There were plenty of home-made cakes and cookies along with luxury hot chocolate drinks and even food for reindeers.
Additional tastebud temptations came in the form of a chocolate fountain with fruit kebabs, sweetie bags and popcorn.
People could join in the fun with having a festive photograph with Santa, played by Intermediate Certificate in Business student Dimarni Hunt-Smith and his helpful elf, Advanced Extended Diploma student Seb Golcz.
A range of prizes could be won thanks to the tombola, guess the name of the gonk game and a lucky dip box.
External companies such as Kindling Candle Co, The Toffee Hut and Chogan perfume stall were in attendance for Christmas shoppers to bag a bargain.
Students from the hairdressing and beauty therapy curriculum were busy creating sparkling looks for visitors with tinsel hair extensions and glitter face art. Support coaches were available at their stall with a range of health and wellbeing advice for anyone who needed a helping hand over the holidays.
Students also sold Christmas quiz packs, themed hats and headbands and visitors were invited to send a candy cane or add a donation to the money tree.
Programme area leader for business Kim Carlin said: “This week’s Christmas market was thriving with busy stalls, it was great to see so many students from across the college, and businesses, taking part and selling their wonderful products.
“We definitely achieved our target of increasing the scale of the market this year, and all those involved did a great job.”