The increased size of the Swanage Christmas Market in Dorset means it has become too large an event for the Swanage and Purbeck Rotary team to run on its own, and is facing cancellation without an injection of new volunteers from the wider community.
A crisis meeting at 7.30 pm on Thursday 10th September 2026, upstairs at the Swanbrook Bar and Restaurant, formerly known as the Con Club, has been called by Rotarian Mike Bonfield, a councillor and former mayor of Swanage Town Council, to work out a way forward.
Mike Bonfield (left) on a stall at the Swanage Christmas Market
Crucial festive footfall
The popular Swanage Christmas Market, which attracts thousands to the town in the economically crucial festive season for local shops and traders, restarted after the Covid pandemic in December 2021, with stalls lining both sides of Station Road.
However in 2021 and 2022, lots of potential stall holders had to be turned away due to lack of space, so in December 2023 the Christmas market expanded into the adjacent Institute Road.
Now the burden of organising one of Swanage’s largest Christmas events, which is usually held on the first Saturday in December, needs wider community support to be able to continue.
Some members of the Swanage Carnival team have already offered to manage the road closures on the day, but more help is vitally needed.
The Swanage Christmas Market is a great opportunity to raise the profile of local organisations
The town buzzes with festive cheer during the Christmas market
“We urgently need a few extra volunteers”
Mike Bonfield is asking local organisations and individuals to come along to the meeting to see if the Swanage Christmas Market can be saved. He said:
“The Swanage Christmas Market, organised for many years by Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Club, is one of the town’s much-loved festive events. The Rotary Club is keen for the market to go ahead again this year, but we urgently need a few extra volunteers to help make it possible.
“We are looking for support with administration tasks from now until the event. This will include checking and responding to emails, helping with general organisation, and assisting with arrangements on the day.
“We would also welcome help from someone with health and safety experience. This support will mainly be needed closer to the event and on the day itself.
“Additional help is needed the day before the market to load a van with equipment from our store. Volunteers are also needed on the morning of the market to help set up, and again in the evening to dismantle the event and return items to storage.
“If you would like to get involved, please join us on Thursday 10th September 7.30 pm, at the Swanbrook Bar and Restaurant, formerly the Con Club in King’s Road, to find out more.”
The market at the beginning of December really gets the town into the Christmas spirit!
Further information
- Anyone who can help can contact Mike Bonfield via email Mikebonfield24@gmail.com or on his mobile 07774 997974
