News

There'll be music, lights and plenty of good cheer for Christmas late night shopping with an evening of festive events.

Traders and Hythe Chamber of Commerce and Tourism team up in Hythe High Street on Thursday, December 10, when  shops will be open until 9pm and  restaurants and other businesses will also be joining in the fun.

There's refreshment-sampling offers, two bands - Hythe Salvation Army and New Romney Air Training Corps - and, for young visitors, Father Christmas and a Punch and Judy show, will add sparkle to the event.

Chamber chairman Kevin Howell said: "Weekday late night shopping, introduced last year to replace the pre-Christmas event previously held on Sundays, proved a great success. Everyone had a good time and many people rounded up gift-shopping with a visit to a restaurant. Now, it's fingers crossed that the weather will again be kind so that everything goes with a swing and give the town a real boost.

"High Street traders are determined to defy the recession and to showcase Hythe as the place to come for friendly shopping which won't break the bank as well as for a choice of pleasurable leisure-time activities."

"There'll be plenty going on to give the festive season a light-hearted send-off. Shops and other businesses have come up with imaginative ideas to attract and entertain customers. As usual, the chamber is putting Christmas trees up all along the High Street."