Over 40 businesses across Burnham-On-Sea are holding a late night shopping evening this evening (Friday, December 2nd) during the run-up to Christmas in a bid to encourage more people to do their festive shopping in the town.
Friday’s event will run from 5pm to 9pm and is being backed by a range of shops selling all kinds of gift ideas.
Father Christmas will be paying a visit to the town during the evening and there will also be live music from 6.30pm in the High Street outside GW Hurleys.
The initiative is trader led, with the support of Burnham Chamber of Trade and Burnham Lions Club.
Organiser Phil Hemming, from Home Hardware, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Since the initial idea, the whole thing has snowballed and many town centre businesses have come forward to participate.”
.TRADERS TAKING PART INCLUDE:
Home Hardware,
Burnham Shopping Centre,
Brooks and Son,
Truckles,
Kidz Stuff,
MI Games,
Peacocks,
Bastins,
New Look,
99p Store,
£1 shop,
Giggles,
Superdrug,
George Reed Galleries,
Julians,
Toy Cupboard,
Mix-It,
YMCA,
Sea Breeze Gallery,
TA8’s Bistro,
GW Hurley (Newsagents and Books),
G W Hurley (Books, Toys and Sports),
Morrisons,
N-Hance,
DP Menswear,
Animal Fayre,
Heapes Gallery,
JD’s Home Comforts,
The Victoria Hotel,
Somerset and Dorset pub,
Belle Vie Beauty & Fishy Feet,
Sue Ryder,
Tenovus,
Fit4All,
Sentiments,
Scotts Furnishings,
Mr Beans,
Burnham Angling,
Hair of The Dog,
Rosemary’s Florists,
Nick Tolley Photography,
Caboodle,
Antony James,
West Hospicecare,
Material Needs,
Sea Breeze,
Burnham Printing and Stationers,
RNLI Shop,
Cafe Aroma,
Subway,
Brit Chips,
Proper Job
“The idea was that in these doom and gloom times it would be nice to bring a bit of cheer to the town centre while we still have one.”
“We and many other shops, pubs and restaurants are planning special events, a free prize draw, mulled wine and mince pies and special offers.”
“We just hope that the support from local people will give this event the backing it deserves and that this community spirit continues on into the New Year and we can halt the decline of our unique Town Centre.”
Father Christmas will be dropping in at the event, courtesy of Burnham Lions, who will also have their charity collection train float on display.
And Peter Beach from Burnham band Rustique is co-ordinating a programme of local musicians to add to the entertainment.
It is hoped that the unrehearsed music will be interspersed with carols sung by local children.
Weather permitting, the evening’s entertainment will start at 6.30pm outside GW Hurley’s Toy Shop.
The evening has been planned in alternate short sets lasting approximately 15 minutes, with Rustique opening the evening.
Vocalists will be supported by guitar, mandolin, banjo and accordion and fiddle. The evening’s music will contain lively Eastern European, Irish, and Cajun numbers and be interspersed with carols.
John Clist from Rustique told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We were pleased to be able to respond when asked. Hopefully we will be able to add to the atmosphere in the high street. It will not be easy playing outside with cold fingers. There will be a guitar case left out, any donations placed in there will be split 50/50 between BARB and the RNLI.”
