Knaresborough’s independent traders will stay open late for the next two Thursdays.

About 25 traders will welcome customers until 7pm on December 14 and 21 as part of an annual pre-Christmas boost for businesses.

Some hair and beauty salons, which regularly stay open late on Thursdays, will operate until 10pm.

Knaresborough and District Chamber organises the activity each year to help independent stores.

Chamber member and salon owner Kelly Teggin said:

“We have chosen a week night so not to clash with Christmas parties and Thursday was chosen as many of the hair and beauty salons open late so there’s a good number of footfall in town that evening.

“We have also chosen a night when the market’s not on so there’s plenty of free parking right in the town centre for shoppers.”

Knaresborough Christmas Market Weekend took place last weekend.

The town’s annual Christmas tree festival, which features about 70 trees individually decorated by community groups and businesses, is also taking place at  at St John the Baptist Church until December 23. Entry is free.

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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.

Boroughbridge will hold its annual late night Christmas shopping event tonight (December 6).

About 45 shops and businesses will be open late and judging will take place for the shop window display competition, which was won last year by estate agency GSC Grays.  Twenty-one organisations have entered this year under the theme ‘Christmas chart hits – with a Christmas theme’.

The event will begin with the official switch-on of the Christmas tree lights in Hall Square at 5.30pm by radio presenter Georgey Spanswick and Boroughbridge mayor Sean Hynes.

Organised by Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade, there will be children’s rides, a hog roast, mulled wine and roast chestnuts.

Boroughbridge Lions will host Santa and his sleigh and there will be performances by three school choirs from Boroughbridge Primary, Roecliffe Primary and Boroughbridge High School.

Independent of the chamber’s event, The Tap on the Tutt pub on Horsefair is organising some temporary market stalls outside their premises tonight too.

The chamber said in a statement:

“Last year’s event was truly marvellous, with an amazing number of people turning out in support of the event – it will certainly be a challenge to top that.”

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Festive spirit will be flowing in Boroughbridge tonight as the town hosts its annual late-night shopping, Christmas tree lights switch-on and a visit from Santa.

The event, organised Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade, will see shops stay open until 8pm.

The night will begin with the official Christmas tree lights switch-on in Hall Square at 5.30pm, followed by carols from three school choirs — Boroughbridge Primary and High School and Roecliffe Primary.

Boroughbridge Lions will host Santa and his sleigh and there will be community stalls, children’s rides and a donkey and miniature horse.

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Festive food and drink will include the Scouts’ roast chestnuts and Brighter Boroughbridge’s mulled wine and mince pies stall. There will also be a hog roast.

The shop window display competition theme this year is A Christmas Panto, with entries to be judged tonight,

The lights on the Christmas tree will be switched on by BBC Radio York’s Georgey Spanswick and the Mayor, Sean Hynes.

Chamber president Derek Hufton said:

“Anyone coming along will find the town buzzing.

“There will be lots of great independent shops to browse and buy Christmas gifts from.

“Santa and his sleigh, along with the kids’ rides, will be big attractions to the younger generation. But wrap up warm!”

The festive season gets underway in Knaresborough this weekend with the Christmas Market and the launch of the Christmas Tree Festival.

Centred around the large Christmas tree in the town’s historic Market Place, the two-day shopping event, on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, will feature almost 60 stalls selling seasonal goods, decorations, cards, gifts and locally-sourced produce.

Hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and performances by local dancers, brass bands and choirs promise to add to the festive atmosphere.

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce committee member Charlotte Gale said:

“We have a fantastic range of local independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in town, not just in the market square, but on the surrounding streets and High Street.

“We hope that visitors to the market will also take the time to explore everything which Knaresborough has to offer. There is even a book signing at Castlegate Books with best selling local crime author Wes Markin from noon on Saturday.

“Knaresborough’s businesses always make such an effort to decorate their windows for Christmas, which gives a wonderful festive feeling in town on the market weekend.

“There are lots of events happening around the town too, including a shopping event at Knaresborough train station and the start of the stunning Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church, which features beautifully decorated trees from local businesses and organisations.”

The Christmas Market is organised by volunteers from Knaresborough Rotary, Knaresborough Chamber and Knaresborough Lions.

Free park and ride

The centre of Knaresborough will be largely pedestrianised for the event, but a free park and ride is available all weekend from the GSPK car park (postcode HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the Market Square.

The weekend will close at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 4 with a firework finale, set against the dramatic backdrop of Knaresborough’s famous viaduct and the Nidd Gorge. This is best seen from any viewpoint which overlooks the river area.

Market chair Hazel Haas, of Knaresborough Rotary, said:

“We are keen that this year’s market benefits the town as a whole.

“Members of our volunteer committee have been liaising with other local organisations and businesses to ensure that we are promoting the full range of festive events taking place in Knaresborough over the market weekend, including the popular Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church.”

The Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s will run from Saturday December 3 until December 23.

Every year more than 70 Christmas trees decorated by local groups and businesses are displayed in the church on Vicarage Lane.

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Admission is free, but there will be the opportunity to donate to the church and the event’s chosen charity for this year.

For more information on Knaresborough Christmas Market, including travel information, entertainment timings and events taking place throughout the town, click here.

Meanwhile, Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre kicked off today and tonight (Friday) sees the return of late night shopping in Pateley Bridge and Bewerley for the first time since 2019.

Shops will stay open until about 7.30pm to offer festive treats and community groups will operate stalls along the High Street.

Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre got underway today and next week sees Boroughbridge’s late night shopping and Christmas lights switch-on event on Wednesday (December 7).

Ripon’s festive season gets into full swing this week, with late night shopping tomorrow and the switch on of the city’s Christmas lights on Saturday.

Tomorrow, eight independent retailers located on North Steet and Fishergate will remain open until 8pm and there is the opportunity for shoppers to win a hamper.

The participating retailers are: The Castle, The GreenHouse, Memorable Moments. Carlton Couture Bridal, Absolute Bliss Health & Beauty, Eastwick, St Michael’s Hospice and  Halls of Ripon department store.

On Saturday, Ripon Market Square will be a hive of activity from 1pm ahead of the Christmas lights switch on, which takes place at 5pm.

Santa’s reindeer return to Ripon Market Square on Saturday afternoon

The reindeer, which proved popular when they visited Ripon for last year’s switch on will be returning with Santa and once again and there will also be free fairground rides and a climbing wall for children to enjoy.

The Ripon City Council event will also provide free musical entertainment from 2pm with singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary followed by Christmas songs from Tamsin and Kaylie, before the Jersey Beyond tribute act take centre stage.

This year, the council’s festive programme in Ripon is being supported by Ripon Business Improvement District, which is paying for the production and distribution of a Christmas brochure, setting out the events that will be happening in the city between now and New Year’s Eve.

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Christmas late night shopping is to return to Pateley Bridge and Bewerley for the first time since 2019.

A group of local businesses and community organisations have agreed to work together to bring back the event.

It will be held from 5.30pm until about 7.30pm on Friday, December 2.

Shops will stay open late to offer festive treats and community groups will operate stalls along the High Street.

There will also be Santa’s grotto, Christmas music and an angel trail.

Pat Waite, who owns the Sandwich Box in Pateley Bridge, said about 50 traders were supporting the venture. She added:

“The festivities will start as soon as it is dark, with shops staying open into the evening.

“Get your Christmas started in style, we look forward to seeing you there.”

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Pre-covid, Nidderdale Chamber of Trade staged an annual late night Christmas shopping event for about 50 years as a way of shops thanking customers.

Ms Waite said the chamber chose not to attend a meeting to discuss this year’s plans but Tim Ledbetter, chairman of the chamber, denied it had been invited.

Mr Ledbetter wished the new event well but said the chamber would not be involved because it was unsure if it would be approved by its insurers.

He also said the chamber wouldn’t revive its late night Christmas shopping event because “there clearly isn’t room for two events”.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

The Harrogate founder of a not-for-profit organisation has received a national award for his work.

John Longden OBE, chief executive of Pub is the Hub, was given the Industry Champion Award by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) at its annual dinner.

It was presented in recognition of his work to help pubs diversify and support local communities by providing essential local services.

So far, the organisation has helped more than 600 pubs to diversify, with almost 200 of those receiving help from its community services fund. Diversification can provide village shops, community cafes and libraries, as well as allotments and even cinemas.

Receiving his award, Mr Longden said:

“You have no idea how special this is. This is also for the family of Pub is The Hub and to our family of supporters.

“We all enjoy collaborating and helping publicans in their local areas. For every £1 invested in a shop, community café, village garden or play area it creates between £8 to £9 of social value. It is the social value that helps to bind us together in this wonderful industry.”

“We believe we can inspire 1,000 projects over the next three years and we have over 50 expressions of interest at this time.”

Emma McClarkin OBE, chief executive of the BBPA, added:

“This time last year we hoped we were done with ‘unprecedented times’ but here we are again after another year of surprises, challenges, and once-in-a-lifetime events.

“And throughout all of it our pubs and brewers have remained at the heart of villages, towns, and cities across the countries, providing a place of solace and community for so many and it’s why I am really proud to stand here tonight representing our brilliant industry.”

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Early festive plans as Ripon businesses join forces

A group of Ripon independent retailers are joining forces later this month to take part in a special Christmas event, where a gift hamper worth more than £100 will be won by a lucky shopper.

The businesses – seven of them on North Street and one on Fishergate – will be open from 10am until 8pm on Thursday November 17.

There will be discounts at selected stores and shoppers are invited to enjoy a glass of fizz and a festive treat while they browse the goods and services on offer.

The participating retailers are The Castle, The GreenHouse, Memorable Moments, Carlton Couture Bridal, Absolute Bliss Health & Beauty, Eastwick, St Michael’s Hospice Shop and Halls of Ripon.

Details about the discounts and how to enter the prize draw for the hamper can be found by clicking here.

Christmas is coming to Boroughbridge with an evening of late-night shopping, Christmas tree lights and Santa on a sleigh.

On December 1st shops will stay open until 8pm as people visit the town to watch the lights switch on.

The lights on the Christmas tree on Hall Square – at the bottom of the high street – will be switched on by Radio York’s Georgey Spanswick and the Mayor, Pat Taylor.

Organisers Boroughbridge Chamber of Trade said businesses were eager for it to return after last year’s covid cancellation. For many, it’s the best night for trade across the year.

It’s not just shops getting involved, the Boroughbridge Lions have organised for Santa and his sleigh to be there as well as street stalls and choir performances.

Chamber president, Derek Hufton, said the town is usually “crawling” with visitors and is hoping for similar levels this year:

“Following last year’s cancellation there’s a great enthusiasm building for this year’s event.

“The community spirit in Boroughbridge is very strong and the late-night Christmas shopping event is not just about local businesses but also very much about the community gathering and enjoying a great festive evening.”

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The official switch on begins at 5.30pm.

The shops will also be taking part in a window display competition, to be judged on the night.