Late-night shopping gets underway next week in the run-up to Christmas with a number of local outlets staying open until 9pm in Town on Thursday 5th, 12th and 19th December and on The Bridge on Tuesday 17th December.
Shoppers in Town will also find charities and not-for-profit organisations, buskers, choirs and Le Petit Train rides alongside their favourite locally based retail outlets. Outdoor stalls will offer chestnuts and other treats and sweets. On the Bridge, shops will either open from 7pm to 9pm or stay open for the duration and some will be serving mince pies to customers.
Jonathan Creasey of the Guernsey Retail Group, said: “We’re excited that so many shops will be staying open for late-night shopping again this year. The buy local message is more important now than ever – the more that the public choose to buy from local retailers, the better it will be for the health and vibrancy of our town centres. It is all incredibly important and beneficial for our island.
“This is a firm favourite in the calendar and the extended hours, entertainment, stalls and excitement leading up to Christmas all add to the lovely festive atmosphere.”
Musicians will be based outside Creaseys in the High Street, Boots, and Moores Hotel, with Notre Dame Junior School Choir, Spurgeon Baptist Church and St Andrew’s in the Grange Church choir singing carols in Market Square, alongside Samba Burros and Saxophonix. A number of charity and school PTA stalls will be set up together with a Young Enterprise business.
CT Plus has put on its late night S1, S2, S3 and S4 services which leave the bus terminus on 5th, 12th and 19th December at 9.05pm, later than the usual time of 8.35pm to accommodate those in Town. Le Petit Train is running a free park and ride service between 6pm and 9pm on each Thursday from Sir Charles Frossard House to Picquet House.
Parking restrictions are being lifted for the three shopping evenings in Town from 30th November through to 7th January on The Albert Pier, The Crown Pier, and North Beach. Spaces in designated areas are also available on the White Rock and St Julian’s Emplacement. Blue badge parking remains as per previous years.
“The train was very popular last year and really added to the festive atmosphere so we hope people will enjoy this service again. We are also grateful to CT Plus for scheduling later departures and to Traffic & Highways for relaxing parking, ” added Mr Creasey.
