Double Deutsch! Solihull to host rival to Birmingham’s Christmas German market

Oct 12 2009 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Mail

By Paul Dale

A BATTLE of the bratwursts is likely this Christmas, with Solihull announcing the opening of a rival to Birmingham’s money-spinning German market.

Solihull Council announced that its version of a traditional Frankfurt market will open in Mell Square in the town centre on November 28.

The opening ceremony will coincide with switching on Solihull’s Christmas lights.

Birmingham’s Frankfurt market, which last year attracted 2.8 million visitors and generated £67 million for the city centre economy, is expected to open for business at about the same time and run until Christmas Eve.

Andy Cole, deputy chairman of the Solihull Town Centre Partnership, said: “It is fantastic for the town that we have managed to secure the German market.”

Paul Round, centre manager of Mell Square, added: “The market allows everyone to enjoy something special and confirm Solihull as the number one choice for Christmas shopping.”

The size of the Solihull German market is yet to be confirmed, but it is unlikely to match Birmingham’s which is the sixth largest festive market of its kind in Europe, ahead of German cities including Dresden and Nuremberg.