Kirkby Lonsdale unites to decorate the town for Christmas

Kirkby Lonsdale lit up for Christmas. Photo by Robin Rees

They have worked with local businesses and individuals to organise a weekly Late Night Shopping event throughout December, to decorate the town in Christmas lights and to put up the all-important Christmas Tree in the square.

Late Night Shopping takes the place of the Christmas market this year – which can no longer happen because of coronavirus restrictions. The small independent businesses in Kirkby Lonsdale have come together so the town can still do their Christmas shopping by staying open every week until 7.30pm.

The restaurant Number Nine have provided snow machines to fill the air with festive cheer and even the local Queen Elizabeth School are taking part by selling Christmas decorations to raise money for the local charity Brathay Trust’s Young Minds Matter appeal (a fund set up to support youth in the face of Coronavirus).

Individuals have united with businesses to further prove Coronavirus can’t kill off Christmas by decorating the town to support Late Night Shopping.

Production company 1Media gifted promotional Christmas images to Kirkby Lonsdale CIC for Late Night Shopping, while QES music students Jack and Hannah fill the streets each week with Christmas carols.

Lunesdale Home and Gardens supplied the small Christmas trees throughout town while local ground and property maintenance contractor Craig Bradshaw installed them and lit them up.

Peter Irving, owner of Irving Timber in Hutton Roof, generously donated the large tree which welcomes visitors as they enter town from the A65 while Underley Estate donated the 25-foot Christmas tree, standing tall in the square.

Event organiser and Town Manager Janet Nuttall said: “We are really proud of the Kirkby Lonsdale community and how everybody has worked hard this year to support each other and make Christmas happen.

"Although we couldn’t do everything we wanted to because of Coronavirus, the magical atmosphere during Late Night Shopping is even more special this year because of all the hard work and collaboration that has gone into making it happen."