Popular Tooting and Balham pop up market is supporting small businesses over Christmas

SoLo Craft Fair normally run craft markets across South London, including Tooting and Balham.

When the initial lockdown happened back in March the fair had to think quickly about how they could still support small businesses during a time where no physical events could take place.

SoLo Craft Fair is run by Catherine Dunne and Rebecca Hunter who are both makers themselves.

Catherine owns London Lily and Rebecca is an artist for Drawn Together Art Collective.

They saw the immediate effect the virus had on small creative businesses and wanted to support those who rely on this income for their livelihood.

On Saturday 21st March, they created their Virtual Craft Market on Instagram stories which saw hundreds of traders take part from all over the world.

This continued weekly until physical shops were allowed to reopen and then it was switched to a monthly Virtual Night Market.

With the run-up to Christmas being the busiest for most traders and minimal physical events taking place with the uncertainty of impending lockdowns, SoLo Craft Fair wanted to do something special and continue to support small businesses as much as possible during this time - whilst creating a truly wonderful community of traders.

That's why the 12 Virtual Night Markets of Christmas was born.

Every Monday in the run-up until Christmas, 7.30pm-9pm GMT, SoLo Craft Fair Instagram stories (@solocraftfair) will be full of hundreds of creative businesses.

You can find out more information on how to take part or join the market at www.instagram.com/solocraftfair.

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