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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.
