The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Well done to SHDC for running yet another successful Pumpkin Festival and Parade last Friday; watching people basking in the sun drenched town centre, clearly enjoying themselves, was really good to see.
Considering the excellent weather it doesn’t seem possible that it is only some ten weeks until Christmas and only seven weeks until our Christmas Market, which takes place on Sunday, November 29. There are still stalls available to hire from as little as £25 and apart from established traders, this will be a great opportunity for local start-up businesses and young entrepreneurs to test the water and see if their retail ideas and selling techniques will work.
Please contact me on 01775 766729 if you would like to book a market stall.
Another annual event happening soon is the BBC Children in Need Appeal, with the main day for fundraising being on Friday, November 13. A large number of local businesses hold some kind of activity to raise money for this worthwhile cause; dressing up for the day, selling cakes, holding a raffle or, as in the case of Beales Department Store, holding an event such as a fashion show.
The Beales BBC Children in Need Fashion Show will be held on Tuesday, November 10, starting at 6.30pm. Tickets which can be purchased at the store are £5 each and include a glass of wine, nibbles, a fashion show and live entertainment. Attendees will also be able to shop for Christmas gifts etc after the show; there will also be a raffle, with some excellent cosmetic and fashion accessory prizes. Tickets are selling fast, so I suggest you reserve your ticket in store as soon as possible.
On a sour note, I was extremely concerned to hear that a number of retailers on the Crescent and Francis Street had recently had their shop windows damaged and there were attempted break-ins at other premises.
These acts of mindless vandalism act only to undermine and deteriorate the look of the town and damage the moral of the hardworking business owners, who are operating in a very difficult economic climate.
Apart from the additional insurance premiums they will have to pay, the time spent dealing with the repairs is taking them away from their core activities, which are running their businesses and serving the public.
These are more than just petty crimes against shopowners, they are crimes against the local community. It is my view that, if caught, these individuals should be made to apologise to their victims face to face, pay for any financial loss and do a long term of community service in Spalding – and these on top of any fine or custodial sentence they are given.
by Dennis Hannant,
Spalding Town Centre Manager
