Over the past few months, we have been busy building the Exeter Christmas Market Sheds once again! We have taken on this role ever since 2016 and this is one of our favourite jobs of the year!
When the organisers of the Exeter Christmas Market approached us, we were thrilled by the opportunity to contribute to the city's most cherished Christmas event. The challenge was to design and build bespoke chalets that would house a variety of festive stalls, capturing the magic of the season whilst ensuring functionality and durability. We crafted a range of chalets made with Scandinavian pine, which included many different features, some large some smaller. There was a complete mix of designs, for the caterers we created chalets with drop-down catering hatches, perfect for serving! The smaller sheds tended to have double doors which opened fully so vendors could showcase their products, others had bi-folding doors which allowed for a huge open area inviting people into each vendor's chalet.
Our skilled team happily took on the challenge, the sheds were designed to give a cosy, winter wonderland atmosphere, featuring charming exteriors which fit perfectly with the festive spirit. We selected Scandinavian pine for the construction of all the sheds as they will receive lots of footfall, therefore durability is a key part of this design.
As these buildings are being used at a public event, we have all the appropriate risk assessments and insurance covered when creating these buildings. To fight off the typically very wet December weather each roof had a slanted felt roof, ensuring all of the local vendors stayed dry!
We worked closely with the event organisers to understand their specific requirements and vision for the chalets. The construction process involved ten team members and took two weeks to build. Customisation was at the forefront of our approach, allowing us to tailor each shed, vendors could request the addition of steps, counters and shelves. However, the majority of the vendors supplied their own interior shelving and lighting.
We created a range of sheds from single-stalls all the way up to large catering structures. Throughout the market, there is a huge array of our sheds. Next time you are walking through look at the functionality and how we tailored them. Also, look out for our logo and tag us on Instagram!
From the handcrafted sheds to timber levelling frame bases, every element was thoughtfully considered. The sheds seamlessly integrated with the surrounding market environment, enhancing the festive atmosphere, and providing a welcoming space for both vendors and visitors. As the market is placed on the Cathedral green, we knew our sheds needed to be top-notch.
The completion of the Christmas Sheds not only brought joy to the event organisers but also had a positive impact on the local community. The festive stalls provided local businesses with a platform to display their products and bring thousands of visitors to the city over the festive season. Each year we re-use the chalets! Of course wear and tear builds up throughout the market but with some TLC and festive magic, the sheds look brand new each year.
The Christmas market is in full swing now and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Vendors praised the functionality of the sheds. Visitors loved the festive atmosphere created by the sheds, enhancing their overall experience at the Exeter Christmas Market.
The Exeter Christmas Market project is one we love! We are thrilled to have played a role in bringing the magic of the Christmas season to the heart of Exeter.