Late night shopping event brings festive spirit to Southwell

Live entertainment, elves on stilts, and a variety of food and gift stalls have kicked off the festive season in town.

Southwell’s annual Late Night Shopping Event took place last night (Thursday, November 28), and saw a selection of stalls set up in the town centre, as well as its retailers keeping their doors open late.

Organised by Southwell Town Council, it was the perfect opportunity to pick up a present, with everything from cider to candles, jewellery, handmade wreaths and sauces — and even Southwell Rugby Club’s cheeky calendars.

As well as traders such as The Lincoln Distillery, Daisy Farm Cider, Caythorpe Candles and H&H Homeware, there was also stalls by charities and community groups including Southwell Scouts, Reach Learning Disability’s Flower Pod, and Southwell Rotary Club, and Minster School students taking part in young enterprise also held a stall.

For those feeling peckish there was everything from mac and cheese fries, waffles, pizza, to jollof rice to tuck in to, and shoppers could warm their hands on hot chocolate and mulled wine.

King Street and Queen Street were closed to traffic for the evening, allowing crowds to meander along the streets lit by Christmas lights, and more stalls to be set up along the laybys.

Elves on stilts wowed the crowds with impressive juggling skills, and there was performances by Hot Dogs Brass Band, and primary schools’ choirs.

For the first time, there was also a Santa’s Grotto in the Bull Yard, run by Lowe’s Wong PTA from 4pm to 8pm.

The evening also saw the lights switched on on the town’s Christmas Tree, in the market square.