BUSINESS men and women in Stowmarket have talked the town up as it prepares for the busy Christmas period.

This week the Mercury is urging shoppers and visitors to the town to get behind local businesses and support them as part of our Shop Local for Christmas campaign.

Traders are busy preparing for the Christmas lights switch-on which will see entertainment and music attractions entertain the crowds on Friday, November 30.

St Peter and St Mary’s Church will begin their Christmas Tree Festival also on the same day from 5.45pm.

Chairman of Stowmarket Town Centre Partnership, Tony Hutchinson said: “For people who do not know the town, it is surprising the diverse amount of shops - from good quality jewellers, electrical companies, sweet shops, there’s lots of places to eat, there’s fashion shops - almost anything that you really need to buy you can find it in Stowmarket.”

This week the town was awarded �10,000 of Government money to promote local shopping.

The partnership is running a survey to find out if shoppers would use a special Stowmarket bag which would entitle them to offers and discounts in the town.

Mr Hutchinson said it was looking likely they would introduce the bag in the future after a positive response.

Bury Street features several independent traders.

Paul Christopherson, owner of M&P Fashion in the street, said: “There’s a huge variety of shops. It’s happening in the town, the Christmas Lights switch-on was very successful last year and this year will surpass that.

“I’m very excited, it will be a lot of fun for people.”

Daniel Harvey, public services manager at Stowmarket Town Council, said: “Last year’s switch on was the most popular town centre event for years and the town centre partnership is looking to better that this year.”