Hundreds of people turned out last night for the annual Christmas late night shopping in Boroughbridge.
The event is organised by Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade to give businesses a pre-Christmas boost and to foster community spirit.
About 45 shops in a town with a high percentage of independent traders stayed open late.
A visit by Santa Claus, courtesy of Boroughbridge Lions, plus Christmas carols, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts created a festive feel.
The Christmas tree lights were also officially switched on.
Besides shops in the town centre, the nearby Tap on the Tutt pub on Horsefair took part by hosting about a dozen market stalls outside their premises.
Hairdressers Watkins Wright beat 20 other entrants in the shop window display competition, which adopted the theme ‘Christmas chart hits – with a Christmas theme’.
Here are some photos from last night’s event.
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The hog roast sold out.
Carol singers
The Crown Hotel looking festive.
Hundreds of people turned out last night.
The Christmas tree lights were officially switched on.
The Tap on the Tutt hosted about a dozen stalls.
The Crown Hotel in Boroughbridge has completed the first phase of a major refurbishment.
The project has seen a coffee bar added to the historic 38-room hotel and the ground floor given a totally fresh look.
The Coaching Inn Group bought the hotel in February after its parent company, RedCat Pub Company, purchased it from Best Western for an undisclosed fee.
Kevin Charity, chief executive of the Coaching Inn Group, attended a Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade event on Monday to talk about the project.
The Crown Hotel
Mr Charity said the previous management team had done a great job looking after the Grade II listed coaching house, whose spa and leisure facilities include a swimming pool, but it had been “time for a change”. He said:
“We wanted to improve the decor, bring the standard of food up and create a coffee shop.”
The Coaching Inn Group, which owns 32 hotels, including the Golden Fleece Hotel in Thirsk, the Talbot Hotel in Malton and the King’s Head in Richmond, has so far invested £720,000 on the Boroughbridge hotel.
Mr Charity told the Stray Ferret the company, which employs 1,400 staff, planned to redecorate the outside and introduce new signage in spring and longer-term planned to refurbish the leisure facilities and the function room.
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The restaurant
The bar
New heritage map reveals Boroughbridge’s rich history
A new heritage map for the Boroughbridge district has been produced to illustrate the history of the Norman town.
Many iconic buildings of the past no longer exist but the map points to where the remnants are, as well as existing buildings.
They include the Manor House, which was the home of the Tancred family in the 1500s, Langthorpe brewery, the railway station, the old mill, the battle cross and the ancient church.
The map was designed by Mike Tasker and produced by Boroughbridge and District Historical Society with support from Boroughbridge Town Council and the tourist information centre, Langthorpe Parish Council and Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade.
It compliments the recently published book by the society called Boroughbridge, a Yorkshire Town.
Copies of the map are available from the Boroughbridge tourist information centre and the town’s library.
It will soon be available to download here.
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Boroughbridge’s impromptu Christmas market proves a hit
A Boroughbridge woman has vowed to do something “bigger and better” next year after organising an impromptu Christmas market in the town.
Laura Hutton thought some stalls would complement the town’s annual late night Christmas shopping by boosting trade.
So with help from Boroughbridge Hardware shop and little more than a fortnight’s planning she arranged for about 13 stalls to go up at the back of Horsefair on Wednesday.
The stalls proved popular and Ms Hutton, a local dog groomer who runs the Boroughbridge Chatter Facebook page, has now set her sights on organising more events in the town next year.
“The late night shopping mainly benefits the high street. I had the idea to tie-in the other shops with some market stalls and raise money for some homeless as well.
“I’m going to go bigger and better next year. I’m thinking of doing a summer fayre. As for Christmas next year – watch this space. I like a challenge.
“We did this in two-and-a-half weeks so it could have been better if we had more time. Still it was a really good night. Everyone came together and I’d like to thank everyone who helped.”
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Ms Hutton said she spoke with Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade and Harrogate Borough Council in advance and made sure “everyone had the right certificates”.
One of the stalls generated £200 for a homelessness charity she works for.
A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:
“We have been actively supporting all Christmas markets across the Harrogate district and have provided food, health and covid safety advice to ensure people can enjoy the festivities.”
