Businesses in Chichester coming together to celebrate Christmas
Some festive events are still set to take place once the current coronavirus lockdown ends.
Last updated 17th Nov 2020
A new campaign has been launched to encourage people in Chichester to shop locally this Christmas.
Chichester Business Improvement District (BID) is calling on people to take a pledge to support local, in response to the challenges the high street is facing this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many businesses have once again had to close during the second lockdown, but people can still support them online and use services such as click and collect, delivery and takeaway options.
The BID has also organised a programme of festive events and experiences for people to get involved in, once the current restrictions end.
Brendon Cook, acting leader of Chichester BID, told Greatest Hits Radio that local stores need people's help more than ever:
"They need support and we need to shop local.
"We need to show our support to keep Chichester a unique city.
"Obviously if we don't do that, then there is a chance that we are going to lose independent shops and even some multi-nationals.
"The window displays that we've had over the last couple of years in the window competitions, we're still going ahead with that.
"Over lockdown we've developed a new app that people can download which will give them different incentives and also let them know what different retailers and services are offering."
Meanwhile Jeanette Hockley, operations manager at Chichester BID, added:
"We urge you all to take a pledge to support local as much as possible this Christmas.
"To help, we are relaunching our business directory to make it as easy as possible to find local shops and services online whilst there is a lockdown.
"Another way to support your high street is to order a Chichester Gift Card, an ideal present, the gift card can be redeemed at over 140 of our local businesses."
The Christmas light displays will be back again this year and will be switched on in phases from mid-November.
There are also plans to have a dedicated late night shopping event on Thursday, 3 December, to provide a festive shopping experience.
Following the previous nutcracker and elf trails, this year a fairy tale themed hunt will take place across the city centre.
Families are being invited to take part in this free trail to find 12 traditional fairy tale books and guess the stories in order to enter a competition to win one of two ÂŁ150 Chichester Gift Cards and a Birdham Bear Christmas Book by local author Lynne Healy.
The trail will start on Saturday, 5 December, and can be found on the LoyalFree App, on the Chichester BID website or can be picked up in the city centre.
Jeanette continued:
"Sadly the pandemic has forced many events to be scaled back or cancelled altogether.
"However, once lockdown restrictions are eased, we are determined to ensure visitors and shoppers can still get in the Christmas spirit and enjoy the fantastic shops we have here as well as the festive customer experience many of our retailers are offering."
The annual Christmas Window Competition will also take place again this year and visitors can help judge the People's Choice Award via social media using the hashtag #ChiBidXmas or by using the LoyalFree App from 5 December.
The free app has been designed to help visitors and residents navigate Chichester’s shopping areas and points of interest, and includes a Fairy Tale Trail, Christmas Window Trail and Late Night Shopping Trail.