THE Thistles Shopping Centre has launched its "fantastic" Christmas Market for visitors this holiday season.

Run by The Crafters Roadshow, the market will welcome guests daily until Sunday, December 30.

Aiming to spotlight the next generation of great makers, the market promises to bring extra cheer and choice to what is already shaping up to be the best ever Christmas at Thistles.

Located in the unit which previously hosted the Marches restaurant, between Primark and the customer washrooms, a fantastic range of stands will transform the centre with handmade crafts and festive food and drink presented in a fantastic festive market.

Gift inspirations will range from Harris Tweed home textile décor, unique woollen scarves, candles and melts, Christmas bath bombs, handmade wooden crafts and jewellery, to tastebud-tickling Christmas bakes and cakes, cocktail pick and mix and a fudge and brownie stand.

Adding to the attraction will be a prosecco van with a customer seating area as well as a caricature artist.

This year’s Christmas opening hours for Thistles have also been confirmed and will ensure the retail therapy is both enjoyable and convenient.

Gary Turnbull, centre director of Thistles, said: “The Christmas Market will be a fantastic new addition to this year’s retail experience at Thistles with a range of unique, handmade products and gift ideas, plus a prosecco van with seating area that is sure to be a popular pit stop for shoppers."

He added: "With our Christmas opening hours, including extended trading, also announced, we are ready to welcome everyone to what promises to be the best ever festivities in the centre.”

The extended opening hours begin on Sunday, November 18, for one day, with the Thistles opening from 10am to 6pm as part of the Christmas Lights Switch On.

For Black Friday, on Friday, November 23, the centre trade from 9am until 7pm.

Normal times will apply between Saturday, November 24, until Saturday, December 8, with the exception of Sunday, December 2 and Sunday, December 9, when the centre opens from 10am to 6pm.

The week commencing December 10 signals a key Christmas push with retailers counting down with the following extended opening hours:

  • Monday, Dec 10; Tuesday, Dec 11; Wednesday, Dec 12; and Friday Dec 14: 9am–7pm
  • Thursday, Dec 13: 9am–8pm
  • Saturday, Dec 15: 9am–6pm
  • Sunday , Dec 16: 10am–6pm

The Christmas extended opening hours continue week commencing 17th December with these hours:

  • Monday, Dec 17; Tuesday, Dec 18; Wednesday, Dec 19; and Friday, Dec 21: 9am–7pm
  • Thursday, Dec 20: 9am–8pm
  • Saturday, Dec 22: 9am–6pm
  • Sunday, Dec 23: 10am–6pm
  • Christmas Eve: 9am–5pm

For those looking to catch the sales, the Thistles will reopen on Boxing Day, from 10am until 5pm.

For more visit The Thistles Shopping Centre website.