Christmas Events in Preston 2008

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Late Night Shopping in Preston 2008

Christmas officially kicked off in Preston Town Centre last night with the arrival of late night shopping.

Shops will be open Wednesday and Thursday evenings until 9pm making it easier to catch-up on all that last minute Christmas shopping.

Thousands of keen customers packed into the city centre last night as the major stores were offering fantastic discounts. Marks and Spencer’s did a ‘one-day spectacular’ with twenty percent off everything in store.

Debenhamas followed suit, offering twenty five percent off and also went the extra mile by opening until midnight to keep up with the shoppers demand.

In addition to the shops being open late night there will also be some live entertainment called Festive Cheer to keep the kids happy.

Chris Selkirk Events Manager of Preston County Council comment on the entertainmeant available to late night shoppers: “ Each Wednesday and Thursday 5pm - 9pm we will have seasonal music and singing from local and regional bands (brass, concert, jazz & folk bands & community & school choirs) all on the Flag market from a covered stage. Aiming to bring shoppers to Preston.

In addition to that, the two Park and Rides sites in Preston: Walton-le-Dale and Preston PortWay have changed their timetable to fit round the late openings. The last buses back from Preston city centre on Wednesday and Thursday are 9.30 pm instead of the usual 7.30pm.

Christmas Events in Preston 2008

Preston County Council is celebrating Christmas with style this year by orgainsing nineteen events for the public to attend over the Christmas Period.

The Christmas events kick off on the 19th November (Christmas Lights Switch On) and run right through to 21st December (Carols by Candlelight).

The main event for families to look out for is the Ribble Steam Railway Santa, which is running from the 6th December to the 23rd.

Children will get a chance to meet Santa on the 45 minute train ride, and also receive a free gift to make their day extra special. Ticket prices are £7.50 for adults and children over four. Children under 4 are £4.00. Make sure you reserve your place, as tickets are limited!

Decoration Making at Avenham Pavillion on Sunday 14th December is also a must for families on a budget. Families will get a chance to make their own festive decorations for their Christmas tree, bringing the whole family together.

There are also events for the adults. Christmas Farmers Market comes to town on Saturday 13th, bringing with them a selection of Christmas crafts and produce to make sure that you are in the Christmas spirit.

However if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, why not try Santa Dash and raise some money for Catherine's Hospice. The run takes place on Sunday 7th December and will require you to wear your best fancy dress costume, all in aid of charity.

The events are aimed to cheer everyone up and make sure there are no scrooges in Preston this Christmas! Chris Selkirk Events Manager of Preston County Council said: “The events are likely to make you feel all Christmassy! Events have a feel good factor. All the different types of events over the Christmas period are all family friendly”

And if all the above doesn’t tickle you fancy than I have put together a map off all the events in the Preston area so you can pick and choose which ones are for you.

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This week I took to the streets to see how the public felt businesses would be affect by the credit crunch this christmas!

Recession

The Guardian has posted five points to why they think we are in a recession and I couldn't agree more, one of the points is that second hand goods all the rage, i think it's great that they have become so popular as you never have to pay that much for second hand goods. Another point was DVD sales on the increase, is it any wonder that are up in sales if the cinema charges £7.00 for a film. I understand that they have to make a profit but really is there any need with DVDs as less as £3.00for some big titles in the supermarkets it's time for the cinemas to start slashing prices!

Extra Bank Hoilday!!

Union leaders and voluntary groups have stepped up their campaign to have another bank holiday in October. I personally think this is a great idea I think that the four month gap is too long and we should have one in between. But as we are facing a recession should we close our business for an extra day of income that could of been earned. What do you think is an extra bank holiday needed?

Wispa Hit

Is it possible that bringing back one chocolate bar can boost sales.

Birmingham based Cadburys has just announced an 11% rise in UK sales.  The Wispa hit selves last month after it was in high demand to be brought back. Maybe the secret to a good business is to listen to the consumer and give them what they want! I find it fascinating that one chocolate bar can make all the difference i bet Cadburys are giving themselves a big pat on the back for finally bringing it back. It is a good chocolate bar!

JJB Selling Stores???

JJB has today announced that it may sell off all its older stores that are less profitable to them, is this a step to make sure they aren't losing to much money and have plenty left in the bank. Powerleague have just taken over 69 pitched operating by JJB, the deal including one of the worlds biggest 5-a-side centre in Old Trafford.

Is it possible that JJB is feeling the pinch and having to get out while it can, it seems all the larger business are coming into financial trouble with money matters taking a turn for the worst.

Pepsi Cut Backs

Another company has just announced a big job cut. Pepsi is set to axe 3,300 jobs to save £681 million over three years . The comapny is claiming to be cost cutting due to falling profits. 

At the time of an economical crisis it isn't surprising that Pepsi is losing money. It would be interesting to see what sorts of businesses are making money and are not losing profits. 

What also grabbed my attention and referring back to a previous blog is that the luxury brand Burberry have just released strong sales. Does this then backing up my point that the wealthy just aren't affected by the credit crunch?

I also learnt that the Pepsi brand also owns Walkers Crisp, Quaker Oats and Copella fruit juice with three business you are set to lose money, but is it necessary to cut so many jobs?

Surely they were employed for a reason are they closing down a factory, or just cutting back this takes further exploring 

 One thing is for sure the credit crunch is biting!

Starbucks Shame

I was horrified to see the front page of The Sun on Monday morning....my favourite coffee shop on the front page for all the wrong reasons. If you saw the headline you know what I'm taking about..if not I will in lighten you.

The Sun discovered that Starbucks wastes, well pours millions of liters of perfectly good water away in a day! Not only is this an environmental issue but it also has to do with businesses.

What business encourages employee's to run a water tap constantly in all 10,000 outlets worldwide. Not only is this a businesses that brags about its use of fair trade coffee and helping the environment with its environmenetal friendly cups, this business is preaching one thing than doing another being our backs!

I wonder what affect this article will have on Starbucks as a whole, will it affect the sales or will it just generate the same business as usual. Being a Starbucks fan myself, I know it's bad but this won't effect my decision to get coffee their each and every day.

I will still go there and have my skinny signature hot chocolates but I am grateful that this article has brought light to a bad habit that needed to be stopped, but I wonder how damaging it will be on the business.

Credit Crunch!!!

As the credit crunch starts to bite into businesses throughout the North West, how is it possible that the Franchisee Nigel Dunnington has just recently announced a 60,000 pound refurbishment to the Deepdale Mc Donald's store?

The reason behind the refurbishment is bad sales which he hopes will increase once refurbishment has taken place. Mr Dunnington puts his poor sales down to "parking not being easy for people to access at weekends" If only all businesses that shut down where that easy to fix and just had to refurbish to boost sales!

What surprises me the most is how we can have these two types of extremes. On one hand we have a considerably amount of wealth and on the flip side we have such poverty in businesses that are seeing so many cut backs and closers. It is such a crazy world we live in.

Welcome to my blog!!!

I am going to be doing this blog as part of my Digital Newsroom. I am going to be blogging about business in the North West of England.