Late-night shopping returns and festive Town drives are announced

Wednesday 01 December 2021

Late-night shopping returns tomorrow with retail outlets in Town open until 21:00.

Town shops will open late for the next four Thursday evenings - 2, 9, 16 and 23 December.

Late-night shopping also returns to the north oft the island soon. Shops on The Bridge will open on two Tuesday evenings this month - on 14 and 21 December.

Shoppers in Town tomorrow evening will find pitches for charities and not-for-profit organisations, buskers and Le Petit Train rides as well as their favourite locally-based retail outlets. 

Korinne Le Page, Head of Retail Development for the Guernsey Retail Group, said: ‘In addition to the shops staying open, we are inviting charities and not-for-profit organisations to take pitches through Town to add to the variety for shoppers. 

"We know how hard the last 18 months have been for everyone and it's so important to support our local retailers. With the cancellation of a number of Christmas and school fayres, we hope charities and schools will also be able to take advantage of the crowds who visit Town on the four late-night shopping evenings." 

Pictured: Late-night shoppers in Town will have plenty to keep them entertained for the next four Thursday evenings.

Buskers will be positioned throughout Town to entertain shoppers.

Late-night shopping in Town includes another new feature this year - Christmas @ No 15, Le Pollet. It first opened on 22 November and features several small businesses selling a wide range of unique and hand-made gifts. The shop is open for five weeks, during which time some of the businesses there will change, which means the goods on offer will change too. 

Le Petit Train will provide a free park and ride service between 18:00 and 21:00 from Sir Charles Frossard House to Picquet House where Express is based.

"The train was incredibly popular last year and really added to the festive atmosphere and we hope people will enjoy this service again," said Ms Le Page.

Pictured: Le Petit Train will provide a shuttle service from the top of La Charroterie to the South Esplanade. 

Vikki Seepaul, Director of the Guernsey Retail Group, said: "We are excited to be offering late-night shopping to islanders again this year. The island has some wonderful local businesses. With the shops' extended opening hours along with Christmas markets in a range of locations throughout December, islanders can shop locally and support our local traders and hospitality venues."

On each late-night shopping Thursday, including tomorrow, buses will run out of Town at 21:30 on the N1, N2, N3 and N4 routes. More information about these services is available HERE.

Car parking is available at Lukis House in The Grange.

Organisers of late-night shopping are reminding anyone thinking of heading into Town tomorrow evening to bear in mind the need to contain the transmission of covid-19 as much as possible.

They said: "Following the latest advice from Public Health regarding events and crowded places, we encourage the public to take note of their guidance: 

• Stay at home if you have symptoms or are unwell; 
• Take an lateral flow test before attending; 
• The use of face coverings is strongly recommended in areas where there are crowds or where it is hard physically to distance or where there is poor ventilation; 
• Wash or sanitise your hands regularly;
• Respect peoples’ personal space."  

Meanwhile, another annual initiative of the festive period returns this evening: drives through normally pedestrianised parts of Town to see the Christmas lights. 

This is available only to motorists driving pensioners or people with disabilities.

They can drive through Smith Street, High Street, Le Pollet, Mill Street and Mansell Street between 18:00 and 22:00 on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from tonight until 2 January 2022.