Enjoy the sparkling streets of Plymouth city centre this Christmas

This Thursday, the Christmas lights in Plymouth city centre and Drake Circus will be switched on, illuminating the streets and bringing some much-needed festive cheer to shoppers doing their essential shopping or using click and collect services.

The annual lights switch-on events have unfortunately been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions, but the lights will still be on from the evening of Thursday 19 November.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “We were bitterly disappointed to have to cancel our Christmas lights switch-on event but keeping people safe has to be the number one priority.

“We will still be switching the lights on to cheer everyone up and create some Christmas atmosphere and hope people will come in to have a walk round with their families and maybe do some essential shopping, pick up their click and collect purchases from local stores or grab a takeaway.”

A number of city centre shops sell essential goods, including food, medicines and pet supplies, and they have remained open during the second lockdown.

Whilst non-essential shops have been closed, many have adapted to provide a click-and-collect service where you can order goods in advance online or by phone and then collect them from the shop.

Plymouth City Council have made this even easier, with an hour’s free parking at three city centre car parks during lockdown: Plymouth Market, the Guildhall and Marks and Spencer.

Plymouth City Centre Company is also working in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Waterfront Partnership to encourage people to shop locally with the Shop 4 Plymouth campaign. The campaign asks people across Plymouth to ‘geddon’ and make an effort to shop local this year, supporting independent traders and Plymouth’s high street stores.

The Shop 4 Plymouth website offers a directory of the city’s shops, so it’s easy to find whatever you need and see who is open or offering an alternative service during lockdown. Visit shop4plymouth.co.uk to find out more.