Over 50 businesses across Burnham-On-Sea took part in a special Christmas shopping evening on Thursday night (December 5th).
Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade organised the initiative to give shoppers an opportunity to visit town centre businesses out of normal opening hours during the busiest time of the year.
Santa popped by for a special visit and shoppers were also able to enjoy festive music from Burnham’s Mudlarks Community Choir while Burnham Lions provided free gifts and festive treats.
While the cold weather and rain in the early part of the evening reduced the turnout, traders still welcomed the event.
Phil Hemming at Home Hardware said: “We had a steady flow of shoppers throughout the evening which, for a cold, windy winter’s night is good. The Lions also did a marvellous job with Santa and the festive music.”
Miranda Bennett at Bastins added: “It was busier than we expected – it was a good evening. I’d like to see the event return again next year.”
Katy Julian at Julian’s Gifts said: “It’s a pity about the weather, but the event boosted our trade and it’s definitely an evening that’s well worth running. We will always support events like this.”
And John Lyons at Sentiments added: “We’ve seen a steady trickle of visitors and I hope the event can grow in future years.”
Jade Chambers at New Look said: “It’s been a positive evening – we would have liked to see it busier, but Thursday is a difficult night to compete against some of the bigger towns that hold late night shopping at this time of year.”
Caboodle’s Liz Loze, with Rhiannon Parsons, added: “I think it was a lovely evening – a great chance for shoppers to look around the town out of usual hours. We would support it again next year.”
Pictured: Top, Burnham Lions during Thursday’s event, the Mudlarks Community Choir, Santa with shoppers and Alex Turco buying confectionery at Bessie’s Sweet Shoppe
RELATED LINKS:
Burnham Chamber of Trade website
