Manchester seeks Christmas Markets hut builder

On behalf of its subsidiary Manchester Markets, Manchester City Council has opened a tender process for a contractor to build, maintain and store the wooden huts used for the city’s Christmas Markets.

The two-year deal is worth £600,000 and covers the supply of both walk-in facilities used by bars and cafes, along with the standard counter-top service models, in both single-size and double-size formats.

In some instances, the council said, the framework may also include various special buildings, designed specifically to fit a particular location.

The markets have developed enormously since the first staging in 1998. Although they divide opinion among the city’s retailers, the markets have become a huge visitor attraction and a fixture of Manchester throughout November and December. Cllr Pat Karney said last year that the markets have an annual economic impact of £90m on the local economy.