Thousands of shoppers got into the festive spirit as Sutton Coldfield Town Centre welcomed colourful Christmas characters, merry music and even enjoyed a visit from Santa himself.
Father Christmas, helped by his friend Candy Cane, flew into the town centre on Saturday, December 3 for the third weekend of festive fun organised by Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID).
And that wasn’t the only festive treat on offer, with charity carol singers, a fun disco for youngsters, two cute Christmas Elves greeting shoppers and hilarious roller-skating Christmas presents providing entertainment.
Bid Manager Michelle Baker said:
“It was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in the town centre on Saturday, because everywhere you looked there was something festive going on.
“Santa and his friend Candy Cane were meeting youngsters in Coffee#1, the animated Elves were mixing with shoppers and the roller-skating Christmas Presents certainly caught the eye.
“There was also a craft market along the Parade and a brilliant Santa’s Disco for youngsters in the Gracechurch.
“We’re working hard to create an extra festive feel in the town centre this year, to drive footfall and get people to come along and support local businesses.
“We’ve been very happy with the results so far, and there is plenty more to come. Watch out – the Grinch is coming back this weekend!”
Elsewhere in the town centre, fundraisers from a charity for the homeless were singing carols to raise cash, while students from Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School were collecting items for their annual Giving Tree appeal.
Even Sutton police got in on the act, giving out advice on how to have a safe and secure festive season.
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.
Other Christmas activities include an amazing life-size snow globe in the town centre over a three-day period, which shoppers can step inside for a free Christmas photograph.
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.”
Up-to-date Listing Of Sutton Town Centre Christmas Events
- 9th Dec Giant snow globe, the Grinch, amazing animatronic Polar Bear
- 10th Dec Giant snow globe, meet Santa and the Grinch, the Gingerbreads
- 11th Dec Giant snow globe, the Grinch
- 11th Dec Breakfast with Santa – Bottle of Sack (8:30am-10:30am)
- 17th Dec See Santa, meet the Grinch and the Gingerbreads
Follow the Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID Facebook page for details of upcoming events.
