Successful Christmas events programme

Town centre packed for the Father Christmas and Reindeer Parade

The town centre Christmas events programme attracted a record number of people to the town centre.

During the Christmas period, Rochdale Town Centre Management organised the Christmas Lights Switch On, a Father Christmas and Reindeer parade and an ice rink and log cabins.

Chief Executive of Town Centre Management Debbie Hernon said: “For this year's Christmas events we had a fantastic turnout with the reindeer parade attracting more people than ever before.

"The Christmas events we run are all about attracting footfall into the town centre giving local businesses the opportunity to showcase themselves to new people.

"The events this year had a real community feel with many talented local people and school children getting involved and creating a real family social hub for the festive period.”

The events programme was sponsored by Rochdale Online, who provided over £3,000 worth of advertising and publicity. Rochdale Online Managing Director Pauline Journeaux said: "We have recently moved to the town centre and are delighted to hear the publicity we provided helped the events attract such large numbers to town."

Kicking off the Christmas programme was the official Christmas Lights Switch On which took place on Saturday 16 November. The event started with a parade along Yorkshire Street to The Butts where entertainment was provided before the lights were turned on. The lights were turned on by Coronation Street star Katie McGlynn and Councillor Cecile Biant.

Rachel Saunders who attended the lights switch on said: “It was nice to see people come out in Rochdale.”

Roxanna Cavaleru who also attended the event said: “It was really nice. It was my first time and I enjoyed it.”

Father Christmas then came to Rochdale on Sunday 1 December for his annual parade along Yorkshire Street. This event saw the street packed with families and young children all wanting to see Father Christmas and his reindeer. Once at The Butts, children could meet Father Christmas and see the reindeer up close.

Mags Eastwood, who attended the parade, said: “It was fantastic. I have lived in Rochdale for a long time and it was nice to see so many people there. I don’t think I have ever seen the event so busy.”

Janet Saville who attended the parade with her young grandchildren said: “It was really nice for the kids and they seemed to have enjoyed it.”

Finally, during the final shopping weekend before Christmas, The Butts was transformed into a Christmas market with an ice rink and a log cabin. For those who wanted to ice skate, all you had to do was show a receipt for the value of £5 for goods purchased in Rochdale Town Centre during December and you could do so for free. Log cabins provided Christmas food and drink and offered shoppers the chance to buy any last minute goodies.

Jenny Desai, whose children used the ice rink, said: “It was a really good idea. It was fun for the kids and it made the town a bit more festive. The market idea was really good as well.”

Grant Bruce, who went ice-skating after some shopping before Christmas, said: “It was brilliant. I think the ice-skating was better than the markets and I would come again if they did it this year.”