Following on from the spectacular Christmas Light Fiesta in association with the Coastal BID on the weekend of the 3rd December which saw over 7000 visitors head to Westbourne, there are plenty of festivities still going on during the run up to Christmas.
The weekend of the 10th involved children and their families gathering in line with their faces painted in sparkle and glow to see Westbourne’s very own Santa in his new grotto in the Arcade in association with Westbourne Rotary. Visit the Christmas Grotto for the last time on Saturday 17thDecember.
Alongside balloon modellers, Cllr Nick Rose made a special appearance in the Arcade to sign his beautifully illustrated children’s books known as Myros Stories.
Children were seen diving in and out of the shops and eateries searching for the 9 golden stars placed around the town. The Follow the Star Children’s competition starts and finishes in Life and Sole, with a chance to win a Limited Edition Love Westbourne teddy bear!
Lunchtime passers-by indulged in complimentary tastings from the brand new Fab Hotel located in Westbourne as well as other samples from a variety of shops such as The Letterbox, House of Lights, Marks and Spencers and many others.
Enhancing the spirit of Christmas were the Barbershop Quartet hitting all the right notes, whilst local buskers made their way around town generating excitement and Christmas cheer amongst shoppers with everyone’s favourite festive jingles, finishing in the Libertine where Manager Richard Carpenter hosted a Jam Session for all.
The much anticipated Westbourne Window Dressing Competition winners were also revealed this week.Westbourne is shining bright and cheerful this Christmas with shop windows enticing the crowds into the area with their sparkle and lights, in relation to this year’s first ever Christmas Light Fiesta.
Across the Westbourne shops, restaurants, coffee houses and offices, windows were decorated in the most innovative, amazing and magical ways to enchant and attract their customers.
This week an expert team of judges spent time assessing each of the windows in turn and rating them for their creativity, efforts and over all Christmas feel.
AND THE WINNERS ARE……
Hair & Beauty – Simone Thomas
Retailer – House of Lights
Professional Service – Chester Pearce
Charity – Marie Curie
Highly Commended:
Attico
Serendipity
Beau Bijou
Gallery 65
Commended:
Dot. Teas Vintage Boutique
Westbourne Bookshop
Fab Frocks
The Letterbox
Deck of Cards
Vantage Pharmacy
Chocol8
Said Lia Martin, Chair of the Westbourne Business Association and Director of the Coastal BID, “It was great to see so many businesses enter the Christmas Window Competition and to see so much variety and imagination.In the busy Christmas period, there is nothing more important than the Christmas shop window to attract customers through the door, increase footfall and encourage spend. It draws more customers into Westbourne and it lifts the Christmas spirit too.”
Don’t forget to enter Westbourne’s Selfie Competition using #WestbourneChristmas on any social media platform – the most entertaining will win a prize!
WEEKEND OF THE 17TH DECEMBER –
As the school holidays begin this week be sure to bring the family down to Westbourne, and visit the Christmas grotto in the arcade.
This is the last weekend of Christmas fun filled activities in Westbourne not to be missed! There will be face painters and local children’s entertainer Jamie Jigsaw in the Arcade. Rossano Sal will be back in Westbourne performing Christmas carols and entertaining you whilst you grab those last stocking fillers. There is something for everyone in Westbourne this Christmas!
Laura Booth
