Altrincham is on a high – you only need to look at the bars and restaurants that have opened just this year.
But our town’s retail offer is also undergoing a pretty rapid rejuvenation – and there’s no better time to see it in full flow than this Thursday.
That’s because the majority of Altrincham’s shops will be staying open until at least 7pm on every Thursday until Christmas.
It’s the perfect night to get your Christmas shopping done – and perhaps then sample that much-expanded dining scene.
But there are plenty of reasons to shop late on Christmas Thursdays in Altrincham – and together with Altrincham Unlimited, we’ve come up with 10 of them:
1. Check out the new high street brands
Altrincham punches well above its weight in terms of high street brands, with House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Boots, Wilko, Next, H&M, Monsoon & Accessorize, River Island, Waterstones, WH Smith joined in the last 12 months by The Entertainer and Paperchase.
2. Altrincham’s independent shops are thriving
Alongside the big brands, Altrincham’s ever-growing range of high quality, specialist retailers is thriving – try Idaho, Edit & Oak and Vintage Angel Design for unique gifts, Laundry Boutique, Black & White and The Old Post Rooms for fashion, County Galleries for unique artwork and framing services, Homebird for decorations and home furnishings, Diadem and Randalls for jewellery or maybe Soda for Pokemon collectables.
3. Thursday night is music night
Every Thursday until Christmas, there will be an array of music on show to bring a real festive air to late night shopping. Across the four weeks, look out for groups and singers from our two town centre music schools, The Music Place and Aura Music Academy, and there’ll also be appearances from Magic Voices and Di Voci Choirs.
4. You’ll get a warm welcome
The Altrincham Unlimited Welcome Team will be out to provide assistance and information to visitors on Thursday nights, and you can expect a warm welcome from businesses around town, including Champagne for customers at Randalls Jewellery and mulled wine, mince pies for customers at both The Old Post Rooms and Laundry Boutique, to name only a few.
5. Look out for Thursday-only special offers
Take advantage of free gift wrapping at Diadem Jewellery and Randalls Jewellery, Christmas cupcake-making at Libby G Cakes, special offers at Paperchase and triple points nights at Boots (selected dates). And starting on Thursday at music shop Dawsons, anyone who makes a purchase will be entered into a free draw to win a fantastic bundle of guitar accessories including cover, stand, strap, lead, tuner and strings.
6. Altrincham is now a foodie’s heaven
The food scene in Altrincham has never been better with a some new superb openings and established favourites from which to select. Choose from Chinese, Thai, Indian, Lebanese, Syrian, Japanese, Brazilian, Mexican, French, Spanish, Italian, American and traditional British cuisine. Traditional pubs, glamorous cocktail bars, craft beers, Prosecco taps… every taste is catered for.
7. Parking is cheap and easy…
Parking on the street is free after 5 and Regent Road car park is free after 6, while Oakfield Rd car park (by the leisure centre) is free after 6. The Stamford Quarter multi-storey car park starts from just £1/hour and Goose Green car park (by Total Fitness) starts from 80p/hour. It’s a cheap and easy way to avoid city centre congestion and shopping centre queues…
8. …Or you can make a night of it with great public transport links
Planning to make a night of it? Leave the car at home – getting to Altrincham by tram, bus or rail is quick and easy, and brings you right to the heart of the town.
9. Altrincham’s finest Christmas lights in years
Nothing says late night shopping more than a crisp winter evening and twinkling festive lights! This year’s Christmas lights in Altrincham are the best for many years, and guaranteed to put you in the festive mood.
10. Shop local!
It’s no secret that Altrincham has been through some difficult times, but with the town now enjoying a remarkable resurgence, what better way to show your support for your local businesses that have worked so hard to put Altrincham back on the map than to keep your Christmas shopping local this year!
