A Christmas market will return to Southampton this year, the operators have confirmed. 

S&D Leisure will once again bring their array of stalls and festive entertainment to the city following the success of last year's event.

The company stepped in last minute to save Christmas after the original operator, Wela Märkets, dropped out

Daily Echo: Christmas Market 2022Christmas Market 2022 (Image: Stuart Martin)

Stanley Reeves of S&D Leisure is "delighted" to bring festive fun to Southampton once again.

He said: "It’s confirmed we are coming back and we are highly delighted to be doing so.

"We are very much in favour of supporting local traders and the local BID.

"I found the council very amenable to work with and I think the public accepted what we did.

"I think we did a good job."

READ MORE: Southampton’s Christmas market is BACK – and this is what we thought

According to Stanley, the decision for the company's return to the city was made last month, with traders already being sought.

He is also in talks with the council about plans for this year's event.

Stanley could reveal to the Echo that traders with a Southampton postcode will receive a discount on hosting a stall at the market.

The total discount is yet to be decided.

He said: "I am trying to encourage more involvement from Southampton traders."

Traders looking to get involved in this year's market are asked to email christmasmarket@sdleisure.com for more information.

Last year, the market boasted rides, various food stalls, gifts, and an outdoor bar. 

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article on the Daily Echo. Your support means we can bring you the latest breaking news, exclusive Saints features and coverage - and much more.

Digital subscribers get unrestricted access to all of our stories, our dedicated app including e-version of the newspaper, and an advertising-light website.

If you want all the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox you can join the thousands of subscribers who are signed up to our newsletters.

They include our popular daily morning news briefing, breaking news, crime and court, and Southampton FC bulletins - plus business, heritage and our what's on newsletters.