Oxford Christmas Market traders have said they are enjoying a busy first day.
Earlier this month shoppers were able to visit the four-day Victorian Christmas Market in Broad Street, and now stalls have returned to the street and will remain in place until just before Christmas.
The market will run for 24 days from today until Saturday, December 23.
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The attraction looks different this year - the stalls are in gazebos not huts and some space is taken up with a cycle lane but traders said they were pleased the event has gone ahead.
There were fears it could be cancelled when the manager of the market, Nicole Rahimi, stepped down due to a disagreement over the retention of the cycle lane.
But then the council hired LSD Promotions to run it.
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Anthony Hall, from Chock Shop, selling chocolate brownies from £3, said: "The market is different this year because most of us are in gazebos so it feels a lot colder.
"And it looks different because of the cycle lane alongside it but this is Oxford so you expect that.
"There has been a good buzz so far and it will get better.
"We are glad the market went ahead. We didn't want to lose it."
John Mann, who runs Midlands-based Dirty Dogs, was selling hot dogs, mac and cheese and 'loaded' fries. Hot dogs started from £9.
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He said: "It's been a better start than I expected and once December starts it should get really busy - there's a food atmosphere."
Trading times will be 10am to 6pm on Sunday to Thursday, then 10am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday.
Ms Rahimi pulled out of the event after running it for the past 14 years.
She feared a “high speed collision” could take place if the county council remained adamant on keeping the cycle lane open.
She accused the council of “prioritising cyclists over businesses”.
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About the author
Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning.
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