Shop up a storm in Stroud this Christmas Mon 14th Nov 2011
Stroud shopkeepers and stall holders have pledged to make this year’s Goodwill Evening – to be held on Friday 2nd December from 5 – 9pm - one of the best ever for Christmas shoppers.
The first of two Christmas markets, the Shambles indoor and outdoor markets, will be opening at 9am on the 2nd December and will be open throughout the day and night. Stalls will be selling local produce, Christmas gifts, locally made crafts, clothing, books and much more. In the evening jazz jive will be performed at the market and shoppers can keep themselves warm with a delicious glass of mulled wine.
To celebrate the launch of the Shambles Christmas market a luxury hamper raffle will be launched. Shoppers can pick up an entry ticket free of charge on the day, and up until 17th December, to be in for a chance to win a luxury hamper.
Throughout the day all of Stroud’s shops will be open, with many participating in the Christmas window competition which will be judged at 4pm on 2nd December.
To date many Stroud traders have signed up to remain open from 5 – 9pm on Goodwill Evening and, to celebrate the event and the start of the Christmas shopping period, they will be offering shoppers discounts on many products and services. See www.shopinstroud.com for a list of shops that are open and to download discount vouchers.
These shops include: Batemans (London Road), Manns the Jewellers, Absolutely Fabulous, Sue Ryder, Heritage of Stroud (George Street), Made in Stroud, Kendrick Street Deli, Trading Post, Kendrick Street Gallery (Kendrick Street), Moonflower & Moonflower Too (High Street).
For Stroud Goodwill visitors, the deli will be hosting an evening of ‘Food Glorious Food’.
They will be offering great foodie gift ideas, ready-made hampers and giving shoppers the opportunity to design their own bespoke Christmas gift hampers.
The team at the Deli will also be giving easy to follow demonstrations and simple menu suggestions for some fantastic festive fare - from pre-Christmas dinner canapés, seasonal stuffings, flaming puddings, quick mince pies to a perfectly presented cheeseboard and simple to prepare mulled wine.
The Cornhill Christmas market opens at 5pm and has grown over the years to become a real favourite with shoppers. Many old and new stall holders will be spreading goodwill cheer to their customers and giving adviceon Christmas gifts and festive food ideas. What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by browsing the stalls with the smell of delicious hot food, mulled wine and Christmas spices in the air.
Charity stalls will this year be housed in the Merrywalks Centre and the Subscription Rooms. Over 20 local charities have registered their interest in holding a stall at the evening.
The Subscription Rooms will also be hosting a ‘Christmas at the Subs’ event where in their café bar they will be serving mulled wine, mince pies and soup alongside their current menu. In the main hall will be a Goodwill craft market which will contain an array of craft and charity stalls.
For more information visit www.shopinstroud.com or follow @stroudgoodwill on twitter.
If you are a shopkeeper or stall holder (private or charity) who is interested in getting involved please email info@stroudcct.org or call 01453 758060 for details.
Ends
STROUD JEWELLERS TO CREATE UNIQUE CRYSTAL CAVE FOR STROUD GOODWILL EVENING
For this years Stroud Goodwill Evening local jewellery business Manns the Jewellers, based on George Street, will be hosting the town’s first ever Crystal Cave.
The Crystal Cave, which will be open from 6.00pm – 8.00pm, will be based in the basement the shop and proves to provide a magical and interactive experience for children 12 and under.
On arrival, children will be given a head torch and utensil for mining out the crystals which will be set into the walls of the one-off basement cave creation.
Each child will be able to extract and take away their very own magical Christmas crystals.
<
‘WISH UPON A STAR’ BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND Mon 14th Nov 2011
Due to its popularity amongst locals last year, the Christmas tree which stands in the centre of the Merrywalks Centre will once again be dedicated to the Winston’s Wish ‘Wish Upon a Star’ appeal.
The tree will be launched on Monday 14th November and will stand for the whole Christmas period. People from Stroud and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to write either a message to loved ones or a wish for the future on a star. Each day the personalised stars will be hung on the tree.
Says Winston’s Wish Fundraising Manager Sally Davies: “We are pleased that the Merrywalks Centre has chosen to support us again this year. Christmas is a time of year when many people remember loved ones so, for those people that want to, this is a way to express those messages on the tree and help support bereaved children whilst doing so.
The Merrywalks Centre will also be the place to visit charity stalls who are selling their wares during Goodwill Evening. Stallholders who have expressed interest so far include Building Circles in Gloucestershire, RSPCA, Stroud Valley School PTFA and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Says Jane Ashworth from The Merrywalks Centre: “We want to support this Goodwill Evening in any way that we can and are pleased to have forged this relationship with Winston’s Wish, especially because the fundraising money raised will benefit Stroud families amongst others.”
Charities interested in taking a stall on Goodwill evening should email info@stroudcct.org
Further information can also be found on www.shopinstroud.com or follow @stroudgoodwill on twitter.
Ends 10 November 2011
Gem of a stall in town Tue 4th Jan 2011
An entrepreneurial Stroud woman is bringing a touch of glamour to town by selling jewellery from a stall in the Merrywalks shopping centre.
Eagle-eyed shoppers will have noticed Tracey Broadley selling the jewellery from the stall among the centre's stores in a bid to attract those looking to buy the perfect present.
Tracey, who has been making and selling jewellery for about three years, had a stall in the Shambles market, but when it became full she used her initiative and approached Merrywalks.