THE Christmas shopping is now well underway in Harlow Town Centre following last weekend’s first ever Makers Market and big Christmas lights switch-on.

The makers market on Saturday 17 November, which the Council aims to make a regular event in Market Square, was a big success with 17 local makers, bakers and creators putting their wares on show to hundreds of visitors.

The market was officially opened by the Chair of the Council and local resident Carley Duff from Create and Craft TV.

At the same time, there were festive events taking place around town in the Harvey Centre and the Water Gardens as Harlow prepared for the lights to be turned on.

A procession, led by the cast of the Playhouse production of Aladdin, Pets’ Corner’s reindeer, Father Christmas and the Chair of the Council, made its way through Broad Walk from the tree to the Water Gardens to officially turn on the town centre lights.

The Council is working on bringing the Makers Market back in early spring next year. If you are a local maker, baker or creator you can submit your expression of interest for the next market at www.harlow.gov.uk/makers-market