Our BID Manager, Jo McGowan, is keen that we all support our local high streets this Christmas (particularly Dorking!) and has some ideas to make this even easier this year.
What are your best childhood Christmas memories?
Mine are being in my town centre looking up at the twinkling Christmas lights, gazing in wonder at the festive window displays and then enjoying festive treats in a local café before laughing my head off at the pantomime. Are yours similar?
There is no doubt that the High Street has changed in the (cough) 40 years since I was a child but many of the festive traditions remain, and our High Street needs our Christmas cheer more than ever. Here are some ways you can support your town centre and high street this Christmas.
Plan ahead
You will find more events taking place in your town centre than you might imagine. If you have a local theatre then look out for their classic pantomime, festive concerts, or other Christmas shows. Many will offer early booking discounts, and the key dates will get booked up quickly. Get the family organised and book now!
In Dorking you can see Sleeping Beauty at the newly re-opening Dorking Halls. Running from Friday 20th December to Tuesday 31st December it features sensational songs, dazzling dance routines, fabulous costumes and amazing 3D projections.
Look out for community events too. Carol singing round the town Christmas Tree or at your local church, Santa’s Grottos and Christmas trails all get the family out and celebrating their town. Here in Dorking, we’re seeing in the festive season with our DorKingdom Fairytale Christmas Festival on Sunday 1st December with artisan market stalls, Santa’s Grotto, free children’s activities, live music, street performers and more.
Restaurants, cafes and bars all get busy this time of year so do book early to get the date and times you want whether it’s for your office Christmas party or for gathering friends and family together. Or why not plan a Twixmas or New Year get together when hospitality venues may be a little quieter.
Shop local
The classic message to shop local and shop independent to support our high streets remains. Dorking is blessed with many independent retailers that have a gorgeous selection of gifts at this time of year, but more than that they also have a wealth of knowledge around the products they sell so can offer priceless advise on what to get that hard to buy for person (Dads, I’m looking at you!)
However, we also value our chain stores in Dorking who equally bring amazing product knowledge and want to support their communities too. They will often be rushed off their feet at this time of year so do show kindness and patience, it will be very much appreciated.
Make it a pre-loved Christmas
The pressure to buy new at Christmas can be overwhelming but there are so many pre-loved items in fantastic condition that would love a new home. It’s also a great way to do your bit for the planet too. We are blessed in Dorking to have many excellent pre-loved and antiques shops, particularly in West Street, where you will find unique treasures that will make the most special gifts.
Share the love
It really is true that town centre and high street businesses really do do a happy dance when you buy from them, but it’s about more than you spending money – they also do an excited wiggle when you share, like or comment on their social media posts, leave them a positive review or tell a friend about them. Word of mouth really is the most powerful form of advertising so share the love this Christmas.
The perfect opportunity to support your small local businesses is 7th December on Small Business Saturday UK. This grassroots, non-commercial campaign, highlights small business success and encourages you to shop local to support the small businesses in your community.
There will also be lots of local charity and community initiatives you can support in your town. Have you heard of the reverse advent calendar? It’s one I personally have taken part in in recent years – it involves buying an item of food or household goods each day of advent in December and donating them all to a food bank. You can collect an item a day, donate a few items at once, or contribute as much as you are able, or even use it as an opportunity to kickstart a new habit of doing something small for a charity each month.
Find out more at The Dorking Area Foodbank, supported by The Trussel Trust. – https://dorkingarea.foodbank.org.uk/. Or you can donate at Waitrose on South Street, Sainsburys on High Street, Tesco Express on Reigate Road and The Christian Centre next to St Martin’s Church.
We look forward to seeing you, our local community, in the town centre both at our DorKingdom Fairytale Christmas Festival and throughout the festive season.
