WE are delighted to report that Swindon town centre has new Christmas Light Decorations this year which have been purchased by inSwindon BID Company on behalf of the businesses in the town centre. The lights are displayed the length and breadth of the town centre and have been extended this year into Princes Street, Fleming Way and Morley Street.

We hope you got the opportunity to come along to see the fantastic light switch on night last month, over 8000 visitors braved the weather and joined us in Wharf Green to see X Factor runner up Saara Aalto switch on the lights.

She was joined on stage by Ben and Mel from Heart, Lewis Blissett from Voice Kids and Maisie Long, the winner of our Swindon’s got talent competition. The evening culminated in a 10 minute firework display that lit up the sky as the button was pressed.

Creating a festive shopping, dining and leisure experience is top of our priority list in the run up to Christmas – we have the Salvation Army coming in every Saturday to sing Christmas carols, the Artisan Market in Wharf Green and Canal Walk on 9th December, the Grinch Grotto in the Parade on 16th December and a Christmas Fun fair from 16th December.

To make shopping more convenient this Christmas, many of the retailers in the town centre are opening late on Thursday nights – see our website www.swindontowncentre.co.uk for a list of retailers participating.

As you many have seen the new Metro Bank building is well underway on the corner of the Parade and Regent Street, we look forward to them opening their doors later this month.

Work is also proceeding on the old BHS shop, which Wilko will be transforming and opening in Spring 2018.

The Brunel Shopping Centre’s food hub ‘The Crossing’ has had a number of new food outlets open, for more information see page 2 of this supplement.

Last month a brand new independent retailer opened up in Theatre Square – The Choc Shop. Chocolate Pizza’s are flying off the shelves for Christmas and we wish Paul the new owner every success in his new venture.

The inSwindon team have spent many months designing the new town centre website which will make navigation and functionality much easier for visitors, please take a look and tell us what you think www.swindontowncentre.co.uk From everyone at inSwindon BID Company and on behalf of the all the town centre businesses, we wish you all a very happy and prosperous Christmas and New Year.