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Food lovers will be in for a treat when the popular Worcester Foodie Festival returns to the city centre.
The free event which runs from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st July has been organised by Worcester BID and promises to be even bigger and better than last year. It includes an additional event day, over 70 stalls offering delicious food and drink from local businesses and selected specialist producers, as well as food and drink matching sessions, cookery demonstrations and master class workshops by a variety of well-established chefs.
Dean Edwards will be headlining the festival’s main stage in High Street on the Saturday. His family friendly cooking style has made him a firm favourite on ITV’s ‘Lorraine’ and he is the author of two cookery books ‘Mincepiration’ and ‘Feel Good Family Food’. Visitors are encouraged to get their cookery books signed after the demonstrations on Saturday. Dean’s ethos on food is that it should be achievable, simple and above all taste fantastic. “Food doesn’t have to be complicated, and I am keen to show the visitors to the Foodie Festival that simplicity is just as effective” he says.
Worcestershire based Fusion Brasserie chef Felice Tocchini will also be demonstrating a range of al fresco dining and tasty Italian recipes on the main stage throughout the event. He said, “I am looking forward to showcasing some of the best local products in our region at the Foodie Festival”. Amongst other dishes he will also be showing visitors how to make his delicious summer pudding with basil and chocolate.
Another attendee is Richard Fox who is renowned for cooking with beer as well as creating gourmet beer and food matches, but his other great passion is on the subject of reducing our food waste by performing cooking demonstrations on the theme of ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’. Richard’s exuberant and entertaining demonstrations take place on each of the 3 days.
Visitors are invited to join one of the free food and drink matching sessions at the masterclass area in front of the Guildhall and learn more about pairing different cheeses with beer, wine and cider. As part of the sessions cheese experts Martin Mills and Roy McDonald will also be introducing you to ‘smorging’ – an indulgent grazing style of eating based on the Scandinavian Smørgåsbord – allowing visitors discover new tasty ways of eating their favourite cheeses. Richard Everton from New Street based Bottles Wine Bar & Merchants and the Cornmarket Deli team will also be advising on great food and drink matches.
With exciting food experiments and fun kids cookery workshops sponsored by TESCO Worcester at CrownGate’s Bell Square/Chapel Walk, youngsters will also enjoy their visit to the Worcester Foodie Festival. Quirky food experiments including exploding rockets, edible slime and fizzy mocktails, as well as fun pasta making and baking sessions. There will also be free face painting and a kids colouring competition.
The Foodie Festival will also feature some great new roving street entertainment with the ‘Cheesy Rider’ comedy chefs and their quirky cocktail bar, plus fun GYO gardeners on stilts. Live music will be provided by a variety of talented local musicians, as well as festival favourites Worcester Ukulele Club and the Worcester Concert Brass.
Foodies can also tantalise their taste buds at Worcester’s 150+ quality local restaurants, cosy cafés, stylish bars and traditional pubs. Leave the cooking and washing up to someone else and venture out to try special offer menus and take advantage of sampling opportunities. Further food and drink themed activities, trails, competitions and more will be laid out for all to enjoy at participating local businesses.
Nadja von Dahlen, Worcester BID Marketing & Events Manager, said “The Worcester Foodie Festival is a great opportunity for people to discover and experience our fantastic city centre food and drink outlets, whether it’s by visiting the street stalls or venturing into businesses for a tasty treat. Who doesn’t want to leave the cooking and washing up to someone else – and get the chance to see famous chefs like Dean Edwards sharing his cookery secrets with us?”
The event will be taking place throughout the pedestrianised city centre from 10am to 5.30pm on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July and from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 31st July. Admission is free. For further details visit www.worcesterfoodiefestival.com, follow @WorcFoodieFest on twitter or at www.facebook.com/FoodieWorcester.
Published 14/07/2016
This year’s free event on Saturday 14th May sees fun activities including a Pit Stop Challenge in Reindeer Court and the Army Careers Service climbing wall in the Cornmarket. Established favourites include around 40 of the latest dealership cars from 15 manufacturers and a trip down memory lane will be delighting visitors when viewing more than 100 rare historic vehicles from the 1920s to the 1970s displayed throughout the city centre. Visitors can also expect to see retro street rods, a selection of historic motorcycles and even a prototype beach car used by the Queen at Windsor. Internationally renowned artist Ian Cook from PopbangColour will be returning to Worcester to demonstrate how to paint quirky pictures using remote-controlled cars and display his specially wrapped Morgan 3-wheeler #3WheelArt. Visitors can even test their own racing skills and challenge their friends to a race at the Scalextric racetrack in Broad Street and the popular F1 simulator in CrownGate’s Chapel Walk. Interactive feature and community displays by West Mercia Police and Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service will are set to prove a hit with visitors. There will also be a selection of Harley Davidson’s courtesy of Heart of Worcestershire College, who are also running the Festival at the Fountains on South Quay, only a few minutes’ walk from the Worcester Motor Festival. Kids will also love their day at the Motor Festival with free face painting, a car trail, PopbangColour workshops and colouring competitions. The Motor Festival entertainment programme features walkabout racing drivers on stilts, traditional dance performances and live music by local bands and musicians will be adding to the vibrant atmosphere. This free city centre event organised in partnership between the Worcester News and Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) will also involve a whole host of in-store activities, special offers, street stalls and displays by local businesses throughout the shopping area. Nadja von Dahlen, Worcester BID Marketing and Events Manager, said “The Motor Festival has become a firm fixture in Worcester’s busy event calendar, going from strength to strength and attracting thousands of new and repeat visitors every year. The event started in 2007 as an on street dealership car display in High Street. Over the years we have started to invite classic cars, which now feature in 12 streets throughout the city centre! Expanding the lively entertainment programme, providing a platform for local performers to showcase their talent, and increased involvement by many local city centre businesses has led to a further growth of this exciting event.” More than 40 independent and national businesses are embracing the theme of the event this year. There is plenty to see and do for kids and grown-ups from toy car racing and craft workshops to prize draws and interactive games in local businesses. People can even find out about the driving jobs, latest motor insurance deals, and engineering courses when visiting the event. 23 businesses are also competing for the prize for the best dressed window with a motoring theme. Visitors are encouraged to cast their vote to support their favourite businesses to be in for a chance to win £50 to spend at a participating business. Details will be published in the Worcester News on 12th May. For further information explore www.worcestermotorfestival.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Twitter @WorcMotorFest. The event runs from 9am until 5pm on Saturday 14th May.
Worcester is set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ever popular Motor Festival in a few week’s time with the announcement of some new motoring themed activities.
A Power Maxed BTCC car and a selection of special Shelsley Walsh single seater race cars will be showcased in High Street. Visitors should not miss the opportunity to see the Empire Wraith driven by Guy Martin as he prepared to tackle Pikes Peak in 2014.
Customer service levels in Worcester city centre are on the rise and that’s official!
Last night’s Worcester BID Customer Service Awards saw numerous businesses scoop prizes after signing up to mystery shopping exercises and perhaps surprisingly to some, a bank came away as the overall winner. The Royal Bank Of Scotland (Future Williams and Glyn), based in St. Nicholas Street won the professional services prize and the Business of the Year with a perfect 100%.
116 assessments or mystery shopping exercises as they are more commonly known were undertaken on willing businesses in the city centre. This is the fifth time that the awards have been delivered by Worcester BID and 100 city centre employees attended the event in the Guildhall.
The winning business’ branch Bank Manager, Jennifer Butler said ‘We are delighted with the result and to be acknowledged for delivering excellent customer service. As a team we pride ourselves on how well we help our customers, both new and existing. This award highlights how important customer service is, and how we at the Worcester Branch aim to deliver high standards on a daily basis.’
The results showed that performances for Worcester’s businesses in retail and email were improving and that overall the city continued to perform very strongly. Food and drink outlets were also praised for their work on greeting customers on arrival, the quality of the food and the professional conduct and standards of dress for their staff.
Category winners on the night were:
‘The results have once again been excellent and are something that we should be very proud of in Worcester as our clients and customers do appreciate it and it undoubtedly leads to better trade’ added Head of Worcester BID Adrian Field. ‘We had 14 perfect scores out of the 116 assessments undertaken and so the winning businesses have performed extremely well.‘
Another winner, Paula Farrington, owner of Embrace Boutique in Reindeer Court and winner of the independent retailer award said ‘we are delighted with the result and it is great that the BID acknowledges the importance of customer service to ensure that the experience of shoppers is positive when in the city.’
Richard Apparicio-Davies, owner of Apparicio based in Pump Street who won the Health and Well Being category winners was equally delighted ‘I am really pleased for the team here who make sure that our customers feel as though they are the most important people in the world when they visit us. This is a great boost for the business and the awards are very positive for Worcester generally’.
CrownGate Shopping Centre’s Manager Erica Burlace has been chosen as the new Chairman of the Worcester Business Improvement District (BID).
She replaces Nicki Williams, Vice Principal at Heart of Worcestershire College who had been at the helm since the BID began in April 2010 and who remains on the Board of Directors.
A member of the Steering Group which set up the BID since 2008, Ms Burlace has been an active Board Director and supporter of the projects that the BID has delivered. She added ‘I am delighted to be taking on the reins from Nicki who did a fantastic job. This is an important role for the city centre and I remain committed to ensuring that BID businesses are in a position to maximise the opportunities created for them within the business plan. I hope to drive forward and continue to improve communication between the BID and businesses; Ensuring that the outcome of the projects reflects the real business needs. Worcester BID has made a difference in ensuring that the city remains a vibrant and attractive location for residents, customers, existing businesses and new investors. There is a real sense of forward momentum amongst Worcester businesses at the moment which we need to harness and positively manage the challenges ahead.’
The BID have delivered a range of projects in the last 5 years including new fingerpost signage, paying for parking by phone, running events such as the Motor and Foodie Festivals, reducing insurance and utility bills, and were instrumental in ensuring that Worcester’s businesses didn’t suffer post floods with their national award winning #open4business campaign last year.
Other appointments to the BID Board of Directors are Richard Broomhead, owner of Chocolate Deli in New Street and Yasmin Fard who owns 23 Knots on the High Street. Both will represent the views of independent retailers in their new voluntary roles.
ENDS
For any enquiries, please contact Adrian Field on 01905 731612 or email adrian.field@worcesterbid.com
This Saturday, 12th December, visitors can look forward to meeting a penguin family and seeing enchanting performances by LED dancers throughout the city centre. Live music sessions by the Elgar School of Music and a variety of up and coming local bands will be providing a festive atmosphere from 10am to 4pm at High Street, The Shambles, Angel Place and CrownGate’s Performance Corner. A special Christmas shop window will be created at a former coffee shop unit in Pump Street, where people can view local artists creating a Worcester themed mural live on Saturday. Visitors of all ages can also have some fun with seasonal props when taking free photos at the ‘Christmas in Worcester’ photo booth, which will be located at Reindeer Court from 10am to 4pm. Festive shoppers can take advantage of £1 parking at CrownGate Shopping Centre car park every day from 5pm. At Worcester City Council car parks parking is free of charge after 6pm on Thursday evenings up to and including Christmas Eve. On Sundays (up to and including Sunday 20th December) people will be able to pay for two hours and get the rest of the day free at Worcester City Council’s car parks. For further parking offers and entertainment details explore www.christmasinworcester.com or visit #ChristmasInWorcester on social media. ENDS Note to Editors: The Christmas in Worcester campaign is coordinated by Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), working in partnership with Worcester City Council and CrownGate. Entertainment is coordinated by Worcester BID on behalf of Worcester City Council and is funded by a DCLG grant. Entertainment at the CrownGate Food Quarter (performance corner) stage is coordinated by CrownGate in partnership with Free Radio. For more information, image requests or to arrange a photo opportunity, please call Nadja von Dahlen on 01905 731612 or email Nadja.vondahlen@worcesterbid.com. Forthcoming entertainment: Saturday 12th December 2015 Thursday 17th December 2015 Saturday 19th December 2015 Further entertainment details for forthcoming dates will be added closer to the time. Please visit www.christmasinworcester.com for the latest listings. Festive street entertainment is coordinated by Worcester BID on behalf of Worcester City Council and in partnership with CrownGate Shopping Centre and Reindeer Court. Please note, performance times and locations may vary to those outlined above, due to time required to switch to a new location, breaks, inclement weather and other potential external circumstances. Worcester BID and partners cannot be held liable for any changes, cancellations or omissions.
From sparkling LED dancers and carol singers to a penguin family and magical acrobatic performances in a giant snow globe, shoppers will have the chance to get into the Christmas spirit as a series of free entertainment will be available in Worcester city centre until the big day.
Nadja von Dahlen, Marketing & Events Manager at Worcester BID, said “We are delighted that the diverse festive entertainment programme is proving to be so popular with businesses, locals and visitors alike. It’s all about making the Christmas shopping experience in Worcester a truly memorable treat and we have plenty more exciting entertainment coming up to make people want to return to the city to shop, eat and play this Christmas and beyond”.
Upcoming entertainment on Thursday 17th December will include free shadow puppetry theatre performances for children and festive live music.
On Saturday 19th December the ‘Tap it & Unwrap it’ walkabout act, a shadow puppetry workshop and magical performances by acrobats in a giant snow globe will provide a cheerful atmosphere for shoppers in Worcester.
At CrownGate’s Friary Walk youngsters can also enjoy story time with Father Christmas, every Thursday to Sunday, and participate in the nutcracker trail.
10:00 – 16:00, Reindeer Court: Christmas in Worcester Photo Booth
10.00—16.00, Pump Street: Live Window Art
10:00 – 11:00, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
10:30 – 11:30, High Street (Debenhams): Salvation Army Brass Band
10:30 – 11:30, Angel Place: Betel UK Carol Singing
11:00—12:00, The Shambles: Elgar School of Music
11:15 – 12:15, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
11:45 – 12:30, Angel Place: Salvation Army Brass Band
12:00 – 12:30, Broad Street, High Street: The Penguin Family
12:00 – 13:00, High Street (Debenhams): Betel UK Carol Singing
12:00 – 13:00, The Shambles (Marks and Spencer): Clarion Folk Group
12:00 – 12:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Ami Woodyatt
12:30 – 13:30, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
13:00 – 13:30, Cornmarket: LED Dancers
13:00 – 13:30, Friar Street: Belle d’Vain
13:00 – 13:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): The Fidgets
13:00—14:00, Angel Place: Elgar School of Music
13:30 – 14:30, High Street (Guildhall): Betel UK Carol Singing
13:30 – 14:00, High Street, Pump Street, Friar Street: The Penguin Family
14:00 – 15:00, High Street (Guildhall): Elgar School of Music
14:00 – 14:30, Angel Place: Belle d’Vain
14:00 – 14:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Meg Hayden
14:30 – 15:00, Friar Street: LED Dancers
15:00 – 15:30, The Shambles, Reindeer Court, Mealcheapen Street: The Penguin Family
15:00 – 15:30, High Street (Elgar end): Belle d’Vain
15:00 – 16:00, The Shambles (Marks and Spencer): Betel UK Carol Singing
15:00 – 15:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Jennifer Hallam
16:00 – 16:30, High Street (Guildhall): LED Dancers
16:00 – 16:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Natalie Holman
16:30 – 17:30, High Street (Guildhall): Theatre of Shadows Performance
17:00 – 17:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Dexter Henry Millest
18:00 – 18:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Jodie Hughes
18:30 – 19:00, High street (Debenhams): Worcester Concert Brass
19:00 – 20:00, High Street (Debenhams): Clarion Folk Group
19:00 – 19:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Ewan Pollock
19:30 – 20:00, Reindeer Court: Worcester Concert Brass
10:00 – 16:00, CrownGate (Friary Walk) Christmas in Worcester Photo Booth
10:30 – 11:30, High Street (Debenhams): Salvation Army Brass Band
11:00 – 12:00, Reindeer Court: Theatre of Shadows Puppetry Workshop
11:00 – 15:00, throughout city centre: Town Crier
11:45 – 12:30, Angel Place: Salvation Army Brass Band
11:30 – 12:00, High Street, Pump Street, Friar Street: Tap it and Unwrap it
12:00 – 12:20, High Street (Guildhall): Snow Globe with Acrobats
12:00 – 12:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): MALAR
12:30 – 13:30, Reindeer Court: The Fidgets
13:00 – 13:30, Broad Street , High Street: Tap it and Unwrap it
13:00 – 13:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Worcester Ukulele
13:20 – 13:40, High Street (Guildhall): Snow Globe with Acrobats
14:00 – 14:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Get Bag. Pack Bag. Go
14:30 – 15:30, Reindeer Court: The Fidgets
14:30 – 15:00, The Shambles, Reindeer Court, Mealcheapen Street: Tap it and Unwrap it
14:40 – 15:00, High Street (Guildhall): Snow Globe with Acrobats
15:00 – 15:45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Molly Ann Ganderton
Christmas in Worcester is in full swing following a series of festive events and entertainment, including the Arrival of Father Christmas, the visit of a lifelike polar bear and the traditional Victorian Fayre in recent weeks – and there is more to come in the run up to the big day.
Shoppers will be able to enjoy a whole host of free seasonal entertainment, brought to the city centre by Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) on behalf of Worcester City Council, when visiting Worcester for late night shopping Thursdays and on Saturdays.
This Thursday, 3rd December, violinist Shulah Oliver and carol singers Betel UK will be delighting visitors with festive tunes in the afternoon, followed by performances by local bands the Fidgets, Short Stuff, Blue Dive, Savannah Roberts and Jodie Howland throughout the city centre. Highlights of the evening will be performances by Worcester Concert Brass from 6.30pm in High Street and the Voices Unlimited choir singing from 7pm to 8pm at Reindeer Court.
On Saturday 5th December, visitors can look forward to live music sessions by the popular Rock Choir, Salvation Army Brass Band and a variety of up and coming local bands from 10am to 4pm at High Street, The Shambles, Angel Place and CrownGate’s Performance Corner (Food Quarter).
Visitors of all ages can also have some fun with seasonal props when taking free photos at the ‘Christmas in Worcester’ photo booth, which will be located at The Hive from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 5th December.
As part of Reindeer Court’s new Winter Festival there is an opportunity to see real reindeer from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 5th December, which also marks ‘Small Business Saturday’.
This national campaign day celebrating small independent businesses also ties in with Worcester BID’s Uniquely Worcester campaign. Until 5th December, 8 Reindeer Court businesses are providing exclusive offers as part of Uniquely Worcester offers cards scheme. They are out of 56 being promoted to help highlight the range of smaller businesses throughout the city centre. The offers are available at outlets throughout the city centre (just look out for the posters) and can be viewed at www.uniquelyworcester.com.
Nadja von Dahlen, Marketing & Events Manager at Worcester BID, said “With around 60 per cent of Worcester city centre’s businesses being independently run, combined with the city’s rich heritage and ongoing festive entertainment, Worcester provides a truly memorable Christmas shopping experience. As part of the Uniquely Worcester campaign we are looking to provide plenty of inspiration for people to shop, eat and play at Worcester’s independents leading up to Christmas and beyond. The new Uniquely Worcester Exclusive Offers card will be a great incentive to discover new, unique businesses and find that special something.”
For keen shoppers Worcester has an outstanding choice of independently owned boutiques and specialist shops selling everything from the latest fashionable designer wear and vintage clothing to gifts, hobby equipment, specialist items for left-handers and decorative home accessories.
Forthcoming entertainment highlights include a penguin family and magical LED dancers on Saturday 12th December and a giant snow globe with acrobats on Saturday 19th December. At CrownGate’s Friary Walk youngsters can also enjoy story time with Father Christmas, every Thursday to Sunday, and participate in the nutcracker trail.
Sara Matthews, CrownGate Shopping Centre Marketing Manager said “We hope that the Performance Corner entertainment will encourage shoppers to stay for longer and create an enhanced atmosphere in an already bustling area of the centre. If it proves to be a popular feature, we would look to repeat the concept throughout the year. It’s a great platform for local performers to showcase their talents in a very busy area of Worcester”.
Festive shoppers can take advantage of £1 parking at CrownGate Shopping Centre car park every day from 5pm. At Worcester City Council car parks parking is free of charge after 6pm on Thursday evenings up to and including 24th December. Starting on Sunday 6th December at Worcester City Council car parks people will be able to pay for two hours on Sundays and get the rest of the day free (offer runs up to and including Sunday 20th December).
For further parking offer and entertainment details explore www.christmasinworcester.com or visit #ChristmasInWorcester on social media.
ENDS
Note to Editors:
The Christmas in Worcester campaign is coordinated by Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), working in partnership with Worcester City Council and CrownGate. Entertainment is coordinated by Worcester BID on behalf of Worcester City Council and is funded by a DCLG grant. Entertainment at the CrownGate Food Quarter (performance corner) stage is coordinated by CrownGate in partnership with Free Radio.
For more information, image requests or to arrange a photo opportunity, please call Nadja von Dahlen on 01905 731612 or email Nadja.vondahlen@worcesterbid.com.
Did you know…
If every adult in the Worcester area spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops, instead of online or at the big supermarkets, it would be worth an extra £20 Million* per year going into the local economy. This means more jobs, better facilities and a nicer place for us all to live. (* Source: Totally Locally calculator)
Forthcoming entertainment:
Thursday 3rd December 2015
12:00 – 13:00, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
12:30 – 13:30, High Street (Guildhall): Betel UK Carol Singing
13:30 – 14:30, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
14:00 – 15:00, High Street (Debenhams): Betel UK Carol Singing
15:00 – 16:00, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
15:30 – 16:30, High Street (Debenhams): The Fidgets
15:30 – 16:30, The Shambles (Marks and Spencer): Betel UK Carol Singing
16.00 – 16.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Short Stuff
17.00 – 17.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Blue Dive
17:00 – 18:00, High Street (Guildhall): The Fidgets
17:00 – 18:00, Reindeer Court: Betel UK Carol Singing
18.00 – 18.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Savannah Roberts
18:30 – 19:30, Angel Place: The Fidgets
18.30 – 19.00, High Street (Debenhams): Worcester Concert Brass
19:00 – 20:00, Reindeer Court: Voices Unlimited
19.00 – 19.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Jodie Howland
19.30 – 20.00, High Street (Debenhams): Worcester Concert Brass
Saturday 5th December 2015
10:00 – 16:00, The Hive: Christmas in Worcester Photo Booth
10:30 – 11:30, High Street (Debenhams): Salvation Army Brass Band
10:30 – 11:30, The Shambles (Marks and Spencer): Betel UK Carol Singing
11:00 – 15:00, throughout the city centre: Town Crier
11.00 – 16.00, Reindeer Court: Meet Santa’s real Reindeer
11:45 – 12:30, Angel Place: Salvation Army Brass Band
12:00 – 13:00, High Street (Debenhams): Betel UK Carol Singing
12.00 – 12.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Blue Dive
13:00 – 13:40, High Street (Guildhall): Rock Choir
13.00 – 13.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Poor Boys of Worcester
13:30 – 14:30, Angel Place: Betel UK Carol Singing
14.00 – 14.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Get Bag. Pack Bag. Go
15:00 – 16:00, High Street (Guildhall): Betel UK Carol Singing
15.00 – 15.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Jennifer Ludlow
Thursday 10th December 2015
12:30 – 13:30, High Street (Guildhall): Betel UK Carol Singing
14:00 – 15:00, High Street (Debenhams): Betel UK Carol Singing
14.30 – 15.30, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
15:30 – 16:30, High Street (Debenhams): The Fidgets
15:30 – 16:30, Angel Place: Betel UK Carol Singing
16.00 – 17.00, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
16.00 – 16.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Dan Greenway
17:00 – 18:00, Angel Place: The Fidgets
17:00 – 18:00, Reindeer Court: Betel UK Carol Singing
17.00 – 17.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Natalie Holman
17.30 – 18.30, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
18.00 – 19.30, The Hive: Worcester Volcano Community Choir
18.00 – 18.40, The Guildhall: Appleyard Dancers
18.00 – 18.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Worcester Ukulele Club
18.30 – 19.00, High Street (Guildhall): Worcester Concert Brass
19.00 – 20.00, Reindeer Court: Clarion Folk Group
19.00 – 19.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Jodie Howland
19.30 – 20.00, High Street (Debenhams): Worcester Concert Brass
Saturday 12th December 2015
10:00 – 16:00, Reindeer Court: Christmas in Worcester Photo Booth
10:00 – 11:00, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
10:30 – 11:30, High Street (Debenhams): Salvation Army Brass Band
10:30 – 11:30, Angel Place: Betel UK Carol Singing
11.00 – 12.00, The Shambles: Elgar School of Music Ukulele and Banjo Group
11:15 – 12:15, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
11:45 – 12:30, Angel Place: Salvation Army Brass Band
12.00 – 12.30, Broad Street, High Street: The Penguin Family
12:00 – 13:00, High Street (Debenhams): Betel UK Carol Singing
12.00 – 13.00, The Shambles (Marks and Spencer): Clarion Folk Group
12.00 – 12.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Ami Woodyatt
12:30 – 13:30, Reindeer Court: Shulah Oliver
13:00 – 13:30, Cornmarket: LED Dancers
13:00 – 13:30, Friar Street: Belle d’Vain
13.00 – 14.00, Angel Place: Elgar School of Music Junior and Adult Choir
13.00 – 13.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): The Fidgets
13:30 – 14:30, High Street (Guildhall): Betel UK Carol Singing
13.30 – 14.00, High Street, Pump Street, Friar Street: The Penguin Family
14.00 – 15.00, High Street (Guildhall): Elgar School of Music Folk Music
14.00 – 14.30, Angel Place: Belle d’Vain
14.00 – 14.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): JackOfAll
14.30 – 15.00, Friar Street: LED Dancers
15.00 – 15.30, The Shambles, Reindeer Court, Mealcheapen Street: The Penguin Family
15.00 – 15.30, High Street (Elgar end): Belle d’Vain
15.00 – 16.00, The Shambles (Marks and Spencer): Betel UK Carol Singing
15.00 – 15.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Jennifer Hallam
16.00 – 16.30, High Street (Guildhall): LED Dancers
Thursday 17th December 2015
16.00 – 16.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Natalie Holman
16.30 – 17.30, High Street (Guildhall): Theatre of Shadows Performance
17.00 – 17.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Dexter Henry Millest
18.00 – 18.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Jodie Hughes
19.00 – 20.00, High Street (Debenhams): Clarion Folk Group
19.00 – 19.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Ewan Pollock
Saturday 19th December 2015
10:00 – 16:00, CrownGate (Friary Walk) Christmas in Worcester Photo Booth
10:30 – 11:30, High Street (Debenhams): Salvation Army Brass Band
11:00 – 12:00, Reindeer Court: Theatre of Shadows Puppetry Workshop
11.00 – 15.00, throughout city centre: Town Crier
11:45 – 12:30, Angel Place: Salvation Army Brass Band
11.30 – 12.00, High Street, Pump Street, Friar Street: Tap it and Unwrap it
12:00 – 12:20, High Street (Guildhall): Snow Globe with Acrobats
12.00 – 12.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): MALAR
12.30 – 13.30, Reindeer Court: The Fidgets
13:00 – 13:30, Broad Street, High Street: Tap it and Unwrap it
13.00 – 13.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Worcester Ukulele
13:20 – 13:40, High Street (Guildhall): Snow Globe with Acrobats
14.00 – 14.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Get Bag. Pack Bag. Go
14:30 – 15:30, Reindeer Court: The Fidgets
14:30 – 15:00, The Shambles, Reindeer Court, Mealcheapen Street: Tap it and Unwrap it
14:40 – 15:00, High Street (Guildhall): Snow Globe with Acrobats
15.00 – 15.45, CrownGate (The Food Quarter): Molly Ann Ganderton
Further entertainment details for forthcoming dates will be added closer to the time. Please visit www.christmasinworcester.com for the latest listings.
Festive street entertainment is coordinated by Worcester BID on behalf of Worcester City Council and in partnership with CrownGate Shopping Centre and Reindeer Court. Please note, performance times and locations may vary to those outlined above, due to time required to switch to a new location, breaks, inclement weather and other potential external circumstances. Worcester BID and partners cannot be held liable for any changes, cancellations or omissions.
Existing and new customers and clients of Worcester city centre firms are set to see what the inside of the entire business looks like without stepping into it thanks to an innovative new photography project.
50 businesses have taken advantage of an offer organised by Worcester BID who have fully funded the scheme to have shops, pubs, cafes and offices be photographed to allow users a 360 degree view in an attempt to help give people a flavour of what they sell and the type of premises they are before they physically venture in.
The response to the scheme has already been met with huge approval from participating businesses. Rick Johns, owner of Kingsway English Centre in Foregate Street added ‘we are delighted. This is a fantastic means of showcasing to our foreign customers what facilities we have before they book a course with us. It will give them confidence and comfort in knowing that they will be learning in a venue which they will have already had a really good view of. As well as improving search engine optimisation, it will be of great benefit to our business and I suspect many more besides.’
Head of Worcester BID, Adrian Field added ‘By bulk buying the time to have 50 businesses photographed rather than being undertaken individually, we have managed to save £6,500 in total and businesses themselves will have saved an average of around £250. Businesses have already come back to us saying that has helped to raise awareness of what they are all about and that it has generated sales and future bookings. Demand has been such that we will look at allocating more funding towards this in the next financial year.’
The scheme has launched during the BID’s Uniquely Worcester campaign which aims to showcase the variety and quality of the city’s independent businesses and a gallery of the 360 degree shots of the participating businesses can be found at www.worcesterbid.com/google-business-view
Worcester welcomed a special visitor from the Arctic on Saturday as part of the city centre’s street entertainment programme. Hundreds of visitors flocked to CrownGate Shopping Centre to meet Bjorn, the animatronic polar bear and were impressed with the real life likeness of the bear, its authentic movements and wealth of information about the animal.
The experience was brought to the city centre by Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) on behalf of Worcester City Council, who are coordinating a whole series of festive entertainment on late night shopping Thursdays and Saturdays in the weeks running up to Christmas.
Nadja von Dahlen, Worcester BID Marketing and Events Manager said “Bjorn the polar bear has proven to be a great hit with Christmas shoppers. It was the first time we brought such an act to Worcester and visitors of all ages were fascinated by the polar bear experience. It’s all about making the Christmas shopping experience a truly memorable treat and we have plenty more exciting entertainment coming up to make visitors want to return to Worcester to shop, eat and play”.
Traditional chimney sweeps brought a smile to shoppers’ faces throughout the city centre and helped to ensure businesses looked their best for the festive season. Visitors also enjoyed having their fun photos taken with seasonal props at the free ‘Christmas in Worcester’ photo booth in The Shambles. The free photo booth will return to the city from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 5th December at The Hive, on Saturday 12th December at Reindeer Court and on Saturday 19th December at CrownGate.
The entertainment programme also features a variety live music, including traditional carol singing and acoustic sessions, on Thursdays and Saturdays at the CrownGate Performance Corner (Food Quarter), Reindeer Court, High Street and other city centre locations.
Sara Matthews, CrownGate Shopping Centre Marketing Manager said “We hope that the Performance Corner entertainment will encourage shoppers to stay for longer and create an enhanced atmosphere in an already bustling area of the centre. If it proves to be a popular feature, we would look to repeat the concept throughout the year. It’s a great platform for local performers to showcase their talents in a very busy area of Worcester”.
On Thursday last week, the first late night shopping Thursday, footfall counters showed a 7% increase compared to the same night last year and a 39% increase compared to the same night the week before, based on footfall between 5pm and 9pm.
Saturday also saw the second busiest ever usage of the RingGo scheme since launching over 5 years ago. 668 people chose to use the paying to park by mobile phone scheme, which also allows users to extend their stay conveniently without having to return to their cars whilst out and about enjoying their stay in Worcester.
Forthcoming entertainment highlights include real reindeer at Reindeer Court’s new Winter Festival on Saturday 5th December, a penguin family and magical LED dancers on Saturday 12th December and a giant snow globe with acrobats on Saturday 19th December.
Visitors can also take advantage of special parking offers on Thursdays and Sundays when planning their visit to Worcester this Christmas. For further parking offer and entertainment details explore www.christmasinworcester.com or visit #ChristmasInWorcester on social media.
Pop into Worcester this Christmas and put the magic, delight and romance back into those precious few weeks running up to Christmas.
Worcester’s historic timber-framed buildings and winding streets are home to independent shops and provide a setting from a bygone age that contrasts beautifully with the city’s high street and shopping centres which are home to some of the UK’s leading retailers. Combined with quality restaurants, pubs and cosy café bars you can enjoy a heart-warming Christmas welcome again and again because once upon a time is never enough.
Visit Worcester city centre prior to the big day and you’ll find some of the very best shopping in the country, and the perfect places to ‘eat, drink and be merry’.
Shop at unique independent stores, make the most of the big High Street names, take a luxurious midday break with coffee and cake and then, after exploring even further, why not extend your stay and treat yourself to a delicious meal in one of the city centre’s many tempting eateries?
And with late night shopping on Thursday evenings when many shops will be open until 8pm, convenient, affordable parking and everything within easy walking distance, it’s a unique experience that’s so much more pleasant than spending long hours searching fruitlessly online or battling your way through an anonymous and overcrowded retail park!
Don’t forget about the city’s amazing festive events, starting with the Christmas Lights Switch-on on Saturday 14th November, followed by the Arrival of Father Christmas on Sunday 15th November and the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th November.
On Thursdays from 4pm and on Saturdays, from 19th November onwards, there will also be a whole host of magical and free street entertainment for all the family throughout the city centre. Watch community choirs singing festive carols, be amazed by acrobats performing enchanting acts in a giant snow globe, participate in a shadow puppetry workshop, see live reindeers and take a family picture in the pop-up Christmas photo booth. Don’t miss the sparkling performances by LED dancers, meet Bjorn the friendly polar bear and make friends with the lovely penguin family!
Take a look at the fully packed entertainment and event schedule and find out more about special parking offers at www.christmasinworcester.com.
You’re invited to come to Worcester for a fun-filled festive programme to shop, eat and play this November and December! It’s all about making your Christmas shopping experience as easy as possible and a truly memorable treat. We’re sure that you will want to come back again, as visiting Worcester only ‘once upon a time’ is never enough.
Businesses in one of Worcester’s most historic streets are breathing a sigh of relief after the completion of the roadworks at Cathedral Square.
Some of the 40 firms in Friar Street which includes pubs, boutiques, cafes and hairdressers as well as the Tudor House Museum have been hit hard by the temporary long diversion route which has been in place for over a month but they are now hopeful that the new road layout will reap rewards after it opened for the first time today (Tuesday).
The roadworks have made it hard for traffic coming in from City Walls Road, London Road and Bath Road to access the road and their on street parking. Footfall and spend has declined during the period.
‘It has been frustrating’ admitted owner of 25 Boutique, Becky Sutcliffe ‘but hopefully it will have been short term pain for a long term gain. We are all keen to ensure to our loyal as well as new customers that it is now business as usual in this beautiful street as we head towards Christmas. With the recent news that the city is looking to gain Heritage City status, what we must now seek is increased provision for coach dropping off areas for our visitors which has been lost because of the redevelopment of the Cathedral Square island whilst appreciating that it was only an unofficial dropping off point.’
Kate Oliver, Manager at menswear retailer Pockets in Friar Street added ‘there is no excuse not to access Friar Street now which is great news. The next 6 weeks are crucial for any business and so we are really pleased that getting to Friar Street and visiting all of our wonderful businesses is back to normal with free limited stay on street parking.’
Worcester BID have also brokered a deal that allows businesses to give out discounted NCP car park passes for the neighbouring Cathedral Square car park to their customers when they spend over a certain amount. Hazel Shepherd, the BID Business Liaison Manager added ‘we are very keen to support the traders in what is one of Worcester’s iconic streets and NCP were delighted to put together a package that works for them and the businesses next door.’
8 businesses in Friar Street have also signed up to provide exclusive offers for the Uniquely Worcester campaign also being led by the Worcester BID which aims to promote the quality and variety of the city’s 330 independent businesses. A further 9 offers are available in nearby Charles Street, New Street and Pump Street with the offer cards available at a host of businesses in the city centre. Full details are available at www.uniquelyworcester.com
