Longridge Does Christmas returns with food stalls, late-night shopping and market

Stalls in Townley Gardens during the last Longridge Does Christmas Pic: Love Longridge

Organisers of Longridge Does Christmas are hoping to provide a three-day boost for the town’s traders as the festive period dawns.

The campaign, organised by Love Longridge, will feature late night shopping on Thursday, 28 November; ‘Foodie Friday’ the day after on 29 November, and ‘market day’ on Saturday, 30 November.

Gary Ward, chairman of Love Longridge, said: “Longridge Does Christmas is the official commencement of the Christmas period in the town.

“Late night shopping has been a long-standing tradition and it was getting bigger and bigger, so we have decided to spread it over three days.

“We are trying to make the town look nice and festive and provide a boost for traders in the process.”

On Thursday, 28 November, shops on Berry Lane and elsewhere will be open until 9pm, Longridge Band will be playing, the Christmas lights will be switched on, and there will be a Christmas fair at Berry Lane School.

Friday, 29 November, will see shops open throughout the day, live music and food stalls at the Civic Hall, and a tractor run setting off from the Civic Hall at 6pm and taking in Goosnargh and Inglewhite.

On Saturday, 30 November, there will be an artisan market in Towneley Gardens, a 5km Santa dash and a 1.5km ‘Turkey tinsel trot’ aimed at families.

Love Longridge also runs the successful Soap Box Derby, which hurtles down Berry Lane in September, and Gary said it was all about trying to bring people into the town.

He added: “We are trying to do more things which brings different people into Longridge, and Christmas is a great time to do that.”

More details are available on the Love Longridge Facebook page.

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