BUSINESSES in Barnard Castle are serving up a festive treat to ensure dale residents have plenty of time, and space, to pick out the perfect present for loves ones this Christmas with an earlier than usual late-opening shopping event.
The idea to get a number of shops and cafes to open late on three consecutive nights at the beginning of next month was the brain child of Sarah Meeson, owner of Vintage Essence florists, in Galgate.
She said: “We normally have a late-night shopping weekend to coincide with the Christmas lights switch on at the end of November and they’ve always been popular.
“With social distancing rules this year we just wanted to give everyone the opportunity to shop safely, at a time when there are fewer visitors about as not everyone is going to want to go out of the area for Christmas shopping.
“We’ve all come together as a community through the coronavirus pandemic and we wanted to continue to show our support with a little pre-festive fun.”
At least eight establishments – Holberrie, Clarendon’s Gift Shop, Moments Cafe, Niche Living, Andalucia, Shirls Shakes, Lisa Lapham personalised gifts and The Teesdale Mercury – will open from 5pm to 8pm on November 3, 4 and 5.
Carly Payne, from Moments Cafe, said: “I think there is a want to support local business more this year because of all the restrictions we have all been under.
“Having the late night opening is great for anyone in Teesdale to come into town when it is quieter and pick up presents without fear, or pop in and have a coffee.”
Caron Baines, who opened her ladies fashion boutique, Holberrie, in Galgate a year ago, said she was keen to offer the extended hours to allow customers time to browse safely.
She added: “I reopened the shop as soon as we could when restrictions were eased.
“For the first couple of weeks I was a bit worried, but it has been a good summer – apart from Covid – and it’s been lovely seeing customers again after so long.”
Ms Baines has expanded her boutique taking over the former Cooper and Leatherbarrow premises and hopes to open on Saturday.
She said: “I never imagined when I opened the shop a year ago that I would do this, but I have extended my ranges and when it became available, I took the chance.
“This Covid thing has really brought home how important local businesses are to a community,” she said.
“I think lockdown has made us all appreciate what we have got in town.
“We have just about everything you need and want and don’t have to worry about leaving the area.”
