Trees-R-us
Matt McGuire discovers a Christmas shopper’s paradise tucked away in the North Laine
I’ve always been of the opinion that you have to go a long way to beat a grotto. They’re just so darn cute, cosy and inviting (except for their tendency to be filled with overly friendly, overly plump and overly bearded gentlemen). So imagine my delight at stumbling across a little haven of fairy lights and gifts – awash with the scent of pine needles, peopled by merry folk and without a chubby ho-ho-hoer in sight.
The Christmas Forestry and Market is nestling on North Road (just up from the Heart & Hand pub and opposite Glazed Expressions, the pottery painting shop) and it’s got a sleigh load of lovely gifts for you to stuff into stockings.
“It’s a lovely, dream-like space to visit, full of twinkling lights and billowing fabrics”
Take a walk through its tree-lined and fairylight-lit entrance and you’ll come across the likes of Liz Lilley’s handmade cosmetics, created using only locally sourced, organic, chemical-free ingredients (including honey from a local bee farm), as well as candles, mirrors and assorted accessories. Then there’s Zoingimage (ex of the sadly defunct Ship Street Market), offering a range of canvas pictures and gift ideas made using Serge’s beautiful original photographs, as well as a range of stalls offering traditional Christmas decorations. And then there are others offering such delights as: speciality Italian cakes; hats, fleeces and other fine wearables; original artwork; handcrafted jewellery and, oh yes, French biscuits.
It’s a lovely, dream-like space to visit, full of twinkling lights and billowing fabrics, and there are even plans to offer mulled spiced apple juice (they don’t have a license, sadly) to warm merry shoppers and their cockles.
But all this is without mentioning their supreme selection of Christmas trees, all lusciously huddled at the back of the market. “Oh, it’s brilliant,” beams Liz. “My stall’s right by them and they smell fantastic. They’re the best ones I’ve seen in Brighton. And I’m not just saying that!”
Locally grown, these magnificent creatures are also benefiting local primary school kids. “Vouchers have been distributed to dozens of schools,” explains Alistair, whose own stall is handily full of Christmas decorations. “The kids distribute them to friends and family and then when they purchase a tree the school gets £2.50. It’s a really simple and effective system and we’re hoping to raise thousands.”
So go on, decorate your house, trouser some quality prezzies and help out local sprogs (and traders) while you’re at it.
Christmas Forestry and Market, 73 North Road (just up from the Heart & Hand). BN1 1YD, open 10am until late, seven days a week, until 24 December, tel: 07795 332 079, email: christmasforestry@mail2web.com
