Winter Social is what many have long been calling for: a Birmingham-focused Christmas Market in the heart of the city centre.

Unlike the Frankfurt Christmas Market, this new event on Spiceal Street is dedicated to serving local food, pouring local drinks and playing local artists.

It's organised by Birmingham events man Dean Brennan (DJ Deano Ferrino) in partnership with Silent Noize Events and VMS Live.

Dean is one of the team behind Digbeth's hugely successful Magic Door club night, and has plans for a DJ booth, bar and party zone at Winter Social.

He has close links to other local organisers in Birmingham's street food and events community.

One of his closest friends and advisers is Jack Brabant of the popular Digbeth Dining Club.

Why it's time for a local Christmas market

Dean told us why he thought it was high time for a Christmas market featuring local independent traders:

"We need to take advantage of all the people who come to the city at Christmas and showcase our local talent."

"We've been working on this for a long time. We're a community of independents promoting other independents. It's not a Bullring thing or even a Council thing.

"I've always looked at that area and thought it would be great for a bar and some stalls."

Where and when is Winter Social?

1 - 24 December; Tuesday - Sunday; Noon-10pm

Next to the Bullring and Selfridges on Spiceal Street.

Street food from local favourites lined up

Some of the most celebrated local street food vendors will serve up food at the new Christmas market.

Baked in Brick, winners at the 2016 British Street Food Awards, are lined up to serve warming dishes like Beef Shin Ragu.

There will also be classic British treats including hot chestnuts, winter casseroles and warm minced pies.

More exotic Thai and Indian street food options are also lined up.

Cider and mulled wine on the bar

Sadlers Brewery from the Black Country will be pulling pints of local craft ales including the Peaky Blinders brew.

Traditional mulled wine will be on offer, as well as coffees, espresso martinis and Brothers cider.

'Cooler' music from local artists and DJs

Thanks to Dean's events company Behind the Curtain (which he runs with partner Adam Robins), this Christmas market will feature local artists and DJs.

They'll perform funk, soul, house and indie music and aim for a 'cooler' vibe.

'Big Plans' for Winter Social in the future

If all that wasn't enough, it seems this is only the beginning!

Dean revealed to us that they have signed a 3-year exclusive deal to use the space by the Bullring and Selfridges.

So there will be more food, drink and music next spring and then through the summer.

Christmas 2017 will see an expansion, with the addition of a marquee and a Santa's Grotto.

Are they worried about taking on the German Market?

Bullish, more like!

"We are an alternative." says Dean.

"We're optimistic we can attract the crowds who want to avoid the German market like the plague.

"For anyone who's fed up of overpriced pints and footlong sausages, never mind the German Market - here's the Birmingham Market!"