Date published: 2025-04-10 | Category: Bath, Business support , Communities and volunteering, Delivering for local residents, Events
Three local charities have each received a £1,000 donation from a Bath Christmas Market stallholder in a charity draw.
Domestic abuse charity VOICES, community service organisation organisation South West UK Lions Club and youth homelessness charity YMCA Brunel Group were awarded the cheques after being randomly selected out of the 36 charities and community groups that attended the market in 2024.
The £3,000 donation was made by longstanding market caterer, DSC Catering Ltd, to support local causes and was awarded to the charities by councillors from Bath & North East Somerset Council.
In 2024 the market also offered the 36 organisations a free chalet for a day to support their fundraising.
Stallholder applications are now open for Bath Christmas Market 2025 which will run from November 27 to December 14 inclusive. Charities and community groups will once again be able to hire one of the market’s two community chalets. Applications close on April 30.
A survey commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset Council showed that last year the market saw a £41.5m turnover for businesses, support for more than 500 jobs and a £60.4m associated spend in the city with an estimated 444,000 visitors over the 18 days. Seventy-three per cent of the overall visitors said the Christmas Market was their main reason for visiting the city.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “It’s wonderful to see that Bath Christmas Market is giving a boost and greater visibility to some excellent local causes. Congratulations to the winners of this generous donation from DSC Catering. With applications now open for 2025 and evidence of high footfall each year, I hope many more charities and community groups will return to the spotlight in our community chalets.”
Emma Seal, Events and Fundraising Manager at YMCA Brunel Group, said: “The YMCA Brunel Group is a self-governed part of the YMCA, working across Somerset and Wiltshire providing nurseries, youth clubs, young-carers groups and housing to homeless young adults and adults, roughly 140 safe beds every night. This donation will help to support our youth work as its funding has been significantly cut back. Thank you all so much.”
Visit the Bath Christmas Market website for updates on the 2025 event.
ENDS