WITH only a couple more weekends left to finish off your Christmas shopping, don’t forget there are plenty of gifts you can pick up in town.
Frome MP David Warburton said, “We’re so lucky in Frome to have such a huge variety of local, independent shops and businesses. At Christmas there’s a real opportunity not only to support them and make sure that our hard-earned cash stays local, but also to get some really individual, unique things.
“As Frome continues to grow, Christmas in the town centre gets ever more interesting – I’ll certainly be looking out for some unusual gifts and I can’t think of anywhere more likely to offer them!”
Frome mayor, cllr Kate Bielby and president of Frome Chamber of Commerce, Nigel Harris, are also urging people to shop locally to support the town.
Mayor Kate Bielby said, “We’re so lucky in Frome still to be able to shop locally. There are many larger towns and even major cities with no independent toy, book, record or hardware shops, let alone a greengrocer or butcher.
“Most money spent in a locally-owned shop stays in the local economy. Let’s support local businesses who help keep our town centre alive.”
President of Frome Chamber of Commerce Nigel Harris said, “I remind people to focus at least some of their Christmas spending on the wonderful range of independent local businesses we have in Frome.
“I urge Frome residents to discover the wealth of independent shops we have right here on our doorstep. We need to support local retailers to keep them in business though – as they say, it’s a case of “use it or lose it.”
Extra Christmas Shopping time for Frome
Many independent retailers in Frome will be opening late on Wednesday 16th December.
This will give shoppers the opportunity to shop after normal hours and reduce the stress of last minute shopping just before Christmas.
Organised by the Frome Retail Group and Frome Town Council, the late night shopping event will be complimented by the Songbirds choir and other festive music around the town. Shops will stay open as late as 9.00pm giving people plenty of time to browse and enjoy an extra pre-Christmas night.
Town Centre co-ordinator Mark Brookes said, “There seems to be a demand for some extra shopping time in the town, many people struggle to get to the shops in time after the working day so the idea of staying open longer on the 16th December is a good one. Many shops will also be open on Sundays during December too, which will be a bonus for townsfolk.
“We have so many brilliant independent shops providing great individual gift ideas and together with some music, Christmas lights and lots of Christmas trees now in place it should be a fun-filled evening.”
This year (following a break for a year or two) the Town Council managed to identify a new supplier of Christmas trees to the retailers, at least 50 trees with lights have been fixed to the exteriors of shops adding to the town’s festive look.
Shops participating in the late night event on Wednesday 16th December will be putting posters up prior to the event. The Town Council hope that as many shops as possible will take part, helping to make the evening a great success.
For more information contact Mark Brookes brookesm@frometowncouncil.gov.uk – tel: 01373 465757.
