Christmas market comes to Colchester tomorrow after Small Business Saturday
Colchester light switch on on Sunday, 30 November. - Credit: Su Anderson
Colchester’s High Street will become a shoppers’ haven tomorrow as the Christmas market comes to the High Street – the day after Small Business Saturday.
Retailers in Colchester hope their unique offering will draw people in as part of Small Business Saturday.
The town has a higher ratio of independent traders compared to many other places of a similar size according to Michelle Reynolds, chairman of the Colchester Retail/Business Association (CORBA).
Ms Reynolds said: “As well as having more independents than a lot of the other larger towns, they carry quite a wide product range as well.
“It is another good reason to come to Colchester, because we have so many.
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“Colchester is not a clone town, the same as everywhere else.
“We would urge everybody to come and support our smaller shops, especially on Small Business Saturday – but if not today then come in any day and support them. We would love to see people.
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“Independent retailers have specialist knowledge and expert advice to offer, as well as great products.
“In a lot of the larger stores staff are almost just cashiers, but at independents staff can find the right product for you and make informed suggestions of something to suit the individual.”
Late night shopping takes place in the town every Wednesday night, and began this week.
Many shops will remain open until 9pm, and shoppers can park for free in Colchester Borough Council-run surface car parks after 3pm on Wednesdays in the run up to Christmas.
The annual Christmas Fair and Market takes place in Colchester’s High Street tomorrow, running from 11am to 5pm, with the stalls and amusements forming a backdrop for bun throwing from the town hall.
Elsewhere Darth Vader will provide a dark alternative to Santa when he takes up residence in a grotto at ACE Comics in Culver Street East on Saturday December 20 from 10am until 2.30pm.
Ms Reynolds added: “Trade is slow at the moment, there are a lot of people looking but in terms of actual money changing hands it seems slow.
“But it is still early days, and people have not yet gone into panic mode.”
