SPRING may only have just sprung but plans are already in place for this year’s Christmas market.

This year the market will be five days longer, running from November 23 to December 22.

For the first time, chalets will also line the high street.

Business manager Steve Godwin from Salisbury’s Business Improvement District which runs the market said: “The core will still be in the Guildhall Square but we have reached capacity there and we want to expand by taking it up the high street so it gives a wonderful buzz across the whole city in the lead-up to Christmas.

“We are working with the city council to provide better Christmas lights for the city and we are encouraging local businesses to be a part of it.”

This year will be the sixth consecutive year for the market and will see extended hours for the food and drink quarter and the introduction of a dedicated live entertainment schedule on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm until 8.30pm.

Last year, there were around 200,900 visitors, almost a 15 per cent increase on the previous year.

Mr Godwin said: “Thirty two per cent of all visitors came to Salisbury specifically for the Christmas market, 58 per cent of whom which travelled from outside of Wiltshire to reach us.

“And 309 coaches came to the market, bringing in the region of 8,000 visitors, plus two steam trains worth.”

The market involves more than 100 exhibitors in over 70 chalets selling a mix of local and international festive foods and artisan gifts.

Online exhibitor applications are now being accepted.

For more details visit salisburychristmasmarket.co.uk or email info@salisburychristmasmarket.co.uk

Charity Chalet Applications will open on June 5 and close on June 30.