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Tonight is the first chance to take advantage of shops opening late as people go on the hunt for Christmas presents and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Outlets will be open until 9pm in Town, something that will also be repeated for the next two Thursdays.
Shoppers will find charities and not-for-profit organisations, buskers, choirs and Le Petit Train rides alongside their favourite locally based retail outlets.
Outdoor stalls will offer chestnuts and other treats and sweets.
“We’re excited that so many shops will be staying open for late-night shopping again this year,” said Jonathan Creasey of the Guernsey Retail Group.
“The buy local message is more important now than ever – the more that the public choose to buy from local retailers, the better it will be for the health and vibrancy of our town centres. It is all incredibly important and beneficial for our island.
“This is a firm favourite in the calendar and the extended hours, entertainment, stalls and excitement leading up to Christmas all add to the lovely festive atmosphere.”
Musicians will be based outside Creaseys in the High Street, Boots, and Moores Hotel, with Notre Dame Junior School Choir, Spurgeon Baptist Church and St Andrew’s in the Grange Church choir singing carols in Market Square, alongside Samba Burros and Saxophonix.
Charity and school PTA stalls will be set up together with a Young Enterprise business.
CT Plus has put on its late night S1, S2, S3 and S4 services which leave the bus terminus on 05, 12 and 19 December at 21:05, later than the usual time of 20:35pm to accommodate those in Town.
Le Petit Train is running a free park and ride service between 18:00 and 21:00 on each Thursday from Sir Charles Frossard House to Picquet House.
Parking restrictions are being lifted for the three shopping evenings in Town from 30 November through to 07 January on The Albert Pier, The Crown Pier, and North Beach. Spaces in designated areas are also available on the White Rock and St Julian’s Emplacement.
Blue badge parking remains as per previous years.
On the Bridge, the Christmas lights switch takes place tomorrow [Friday 6 December].
Father Christmas arrives at 16:05 courtesy of the Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service and switches on the lights at 16:30, accompanied by elves and other characters.
Late night shopping on the Bridge takes on Tuesday 17 December.
Shops will either open from 19:00 to 21:00 or stay open for the duration and some will be serving mince pies to customers.
Experts have been predicting what the top toys will be this year.
Among the top 20 is a machine that blasts out farts, some tiny lego plants and a walking penguin.
The DreamToys Christmas List released by the Toy Retailer Association is selected by an independent panel of toy retailers and experts.
Hatchimals, Hot Wheels and Hex Bots are also among the top toys on sale this year.
Chair of the DreamToys selection committee Paul Reader said: “More so than ever before, this year’s DreamToys list shows the incredible variety of experiences and play the UK’s vibrant toy industry has to offer consumers”.
The DreamToys list includes exciting interactive toys, new versions of family favourites and something for all the family, from preschool up to adults, with a diversity that reflects the many tastes and trends that define the UK’s toy industry today.
Recommended retail prices range from £9.99 to £89.99.
DreamToys ambassador Helen Skelton said: “Every year, parents and families want to get the best gifts they can for their children. With so much choice it can be a challenge to make sure you’re spending your hard earned money in the right place for the kids in our lives, which is why I’m thrilled to be helping launch this year’s DreamToys list. The list lets us all know what kids are hoping for this Christmas so we can get gifts they will play with time and time again.”
(The list is alphabetical and not a ranking)
Beyblades X Xtreme Battle Set (Hasbro)
Bluey 3-in-1 Transforming Plane Set (Moose Toys)
Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster (Moose Toys)
Disney Stitch (LEGO Company)
FurReal Peanut the Playful Monkey (Just Play Products)
Hatchimals Alive Mystery Hatch Pufficorn Egg (Spinmaster)
Hex Bots Wall Crawler Gecko (Spin Master)
Hot Wheels Ultra Shark Car Wash playset (Mattel UK)
Icons Tiny Plants (LEGO Company)
Kinetic Sand SquishMotion (Spin Master)
Little Live Pets My Walking Penguin - Waddles (Moose Toys)
Littlest Pet Shop - Pet Shop Playset (Bandai UK)
Miniverse Make It Mini Potions Class (MGA)
Paw Patrol Rubble's Bark Yard Deluxe Bulldozer (Spin Master)
Pets Alive: Mama Duck & Baby Surprise (Zuru)
REAL FX The Disney Stitch Edition Puppet
Speed Champions Mclaren F1 Race Car (Wow Stuff)
Sticki Rolls Sticki Book Pack (Character Options)
Unicorn Academy Interactive Rainbow Light-up Wildstar (Spin Master)
UNO Show ‘Em No Mercy (Mattel UK)
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