Sutton Town Centre was a festive wonderland, as three days of events entertained thousands of shoppers for the biggest Christmas weekend yet.
Over Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Grinch spread his own brand of festive mayhem as he posed for photographs, played pranks and visited shops and businesses.
On Friday, Sutton made a furry new friend when a magical polar bear walked through the town centre.
Then, on Saturday Father Christmas, helped by his friend Candy Cane, flew into the town centre on, meeting youngsters in the Market Village and posing for pictures along the Parade.
And the cuddly Gingerbread Men were there too, charming Sutton residents young and old, while families posed for pictures in the giant snow globe.
There were also three Breakfast with Santa events over the long weekend, at the United Reformed Church on Friday, the indoor market cafe on Saturday and Wetherspoons on Sunday.
Many local businesses reported a distinct increase in footfall and sales turnover due to the weekend of festive fun, which was organised by Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID).
Bid Manager Michelle Baker said:
“This was our biggest Christmas weekend yet, with three days of festive activities and characters and people reacted brilliantly to it.
“We’re working hard to create a really magical, festive feel in Sutton town centre this year, to bring people in and support local businesses.
“There’s one weekend left, so don’t miss your last chance to meet the Grinch on Saturday December 17th – the Gingerbread Men will be back, and so will Santa!”
Elsewhere in the town centre, there was a disco with Santa for youngsters, fundraisers from a charity for the homeless were singing carols to raise cash, and students from Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School were collecting items for their annual Giving Tree appeal.
The extended Christmas activities are part of the new Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield programme of year-round events which aims to encourage more people to choose the town centre as a destination to spend time, eat, drink, shop and relax.
Bid Manager Michelle Baker added:
“We want to make Sutton town centre a real attraction, with regular events to bring people in, not just at Christmas but all year round.”
Follow the Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID Facebook page for details of upcoming events.
