Seventeen of Altrincham’s independent businesses will provide the route for a festive Reindeer Trail around the town, beginning this Saturday.
Families are invited to follow the trail around the town centre, with a treat to pick up at every stop.
Launched to coincide with Small Business Saturday, participants are invited to collect their trail sheets and Christmas bags from Altrincham Library and follow the route to find all the hidden reindeer – as well as a chocolate treat at each stop.
The trail – which is being sponsored by Fostering Solutions – will run from Saturday for two weeks. All those who complete it will also be entered into a draw to win a “fantastic family prize”, to be announced on 23 December at a festive storytelling session at Altrincham Library.
Emma Easton (above), the owner of home and giftware shop With Decorum, one of the independents on the trail, said: “As a new independent business, it’s wonderful to be involved in a Christmas scheme that brings together the community & raises awareness of small businesses that are starting to develop in Altrincham.”
The businesses included on the trail are Tom Howley Kitchens (Church St), Vintage Angel & Hummingbird Flowers (Moss Lane), With Decorum (Old Market Place), Prestige Floor Studio (Old Market Place), Candy Creations (Greenwood St, Oxford Road Café (Peter St), Black & White (The Downs), The Zip Yard (Lloyd St), Dawsons (Stamford New Road), Fraggers (The Downs), Rymans (Stamford New Road), Velo Espresso (Moss Lane), Scalini Deli (Ashley Road), Café Cleo (Goose Green), Soda (George Street), Madam Butterfly (Greenwood Street) and Gummy Worm (Stamford Square)
Altrincham’s new town centre manager Tony Fitzgerald added: “This is a fun way for families to explore Altrincham while they do their Christmas shopping, and a great way for us to showcase the wide variety of businesses operating in the town centre.
“As with all our festive activities, the Reindeer Trail has been well supported by local retailers and should bring some smiles to the Christmas shopping experience this year.”
He added: “This is just one of many family activities taking place in Altrincham this month. With Santa’s grotto, a Christmas card workshop, festive storytelling, Christmas markets and carols at Goose Green all coming up over the next few weeks, there are a host of reasons for families to visit the town centre in the run-up to Christmas.”
Above: Emma Easton from With Decorum, and below, The Emporium on The Downs
Also showing off their wares on Small Business Saturday will be the traders at The Emporium, formally the Traders’ Outlet, on The Downs.
They’ll be putting on mince pies, mulled wine and a range of special one-day discounts.
Among the goods on offer will be gifts, homeware, vintage and revamped furniture, on-trend fashion, handmade dresses, loose teas, photography and books.
This will be the traders’ last Christmas at their current site – they’ll be moving out on Christmas Eve to a soon-to-be-revealed new location for 2015.
