A town centre working group is urging people to shop local this Christmas – and have organised a series of special promotions they hope will encourage them to do so.
With support from the Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) the Forres town centre working group has revealed activities aimed at making local shopping in the town more attractive.
FACT was created in 2011 with plans to benefit the community living in the Forres Academy catchment area.
The Trust aims to address social and economic issues, generate income to sustain the trust and invest in the community, secure funding for projects that meet local needs and to support other local groups in their plans.
This weekend will see the Christmas Lights in the town switched on with the High Street closed from 3.30pm until 6.30pm on Saturday. There will be a parade through the town with carol singing and a craft fair open from 1pm, before the lights themselves are switched on at 5pm.
Amongst the promotions created to encourage local shopping is “Where have all the gifts gone?”. A spokesman said: “Members of the public are being asked to help find the missing gifts that the Elves have hidden around the town centre.
“The promotion will start on December 1st and run until December 17th – it is hoped this will be a fun activity for members of the public, encouraging people to the town centre and into shops they may not normally visit.
“A form for members of the public will be available to complete noting which gifts are in which shop with the incentive to participate being a Gift Hamper Prize made up from some of the exchanged items.”
Another promotion will be the £10 trail, making a successful return after proving a hit with local shoppers last Christmas. The spokesman said: “Shops displaying a poster will
show shoppers that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a present for the ones you love.
“Great value gifts will be highlighted to make the Christmas budget go further.”
Late night shopping has also been organised in the town with local shops open until 8pm on December 4, 11 and 18.