Arundel launches campaign to get people shopping local for Christmas
A new video's been released promoting the town as a winter destination
A new campaign to promote Arundel as a must-visit winter destination ahead of Christmas is now underway.
The Arundel Chamber of Commerce has commissioned a film to launch the 'Arundel is Christmas' campaign, featuring workers from small businesses around the town.
It's kick-starting two weeks of events and activities to encourage more people to support their local high street while keeping to social distancing measures.
Businesses around the town will stay open for late night shopping until 8pm on Friday as part of the campaign.
Sharon Blaikie, chair of the Arundel Chamber of Commerce said:
"The sense of Christmas has been successfully achieved early in Arundel this year.
"Once again the town is looking fabulous and festive, and the closer we get to Christmas – the better it’s going to look.
"We know that things have had to be done differently this year, but we are thrilled how the businesses and residents of Arundel are supporting us and one another in every way they can.
"The key message is about shopping safely in Arundel; Retailers have taken great measures to welcome us and continue to keep us safe this year – while keeping a safe distance but also about lightening our moods and lifting the spirits of our community."
Until December 18th, shops and residents in Arundel are encouraged to decorate their homes and shop windows/façades for the Best Dressed Christmas Decoration Competition and the Mayor of Arundel, Tony Hunt, will be giving two prizes of £250 (one to residents and one to the shops’ chosen charity).
The local children from the two schools – Arundel C of E and St. Philips have also been involved in the Campaigns’ Christmas Card Competition with prizes being awarded at the end of term.
All aspects of the town are getting involved and sharing their festive plans and also on offer will be virtual and ticketed events.
Arundel Museum will be hosting a Family Christmas Trail; Hairdressers’ Gilded Pleasure is holding a charity haircut day with payment by food parcels for local food banks.
Other events include “virtual” wreath making workshops via Zoom; Street food pop-ups at the Brewhouse Project; a virtual Gallery Trail; live streaming from Drip Action Theatre on Friday; Digby Fine English “virtual” tasting sessions; a Christmas pop-up shop at the Cathedral; bootcamps at the Lido; an Art exhibition at the Victoria Institute; a craft market at Nineveh House and Boxing Day tea at Swanbourne Lake.
Sharon Blaikie added:
“Now more than ever it is important for local residents, businesses, organisations and visitors from nearby to have a variety of safe experiences to look forward to.
"Arundel is Christmas offers an opportunity for local businesses to advertise and market their Christmas goodies further afield and link into other campaigns for support.
"We are delighted with the film, which is the third one in the series that we have worked on with beechtobeach over the past few months – the others being “Arundel is Your Destination” and “Arundel is Here For You” – these films underpin the campaign which supports commerce and celebrates community spirit showcasing a visibly safe and welcoming environment.
"We have had to look at being more creative in order to get the safety message out there and now we have brilliant footage for years to come."