Oldham town centre’s independent businesses and traders are getting into the Christmas spirit by giving their customers some great offers and incentives in the run up to the festive season.

Starting on Monday, December 1 and running until Christmas Eve, there will be an offer a day for residents and shoppers to take advantage of.

Among those who have signed up and are supporting the ’24 days of Christmas’ are clothing shop Scoots, Suits and Boots and popular beauty salon, Tymbuktu.

Look out for 25 per cent off at the Age UK Oldham charity shop, Vintage 55, on George Street; a free balloon for children and free entry into a prize hamper draw when visiting Swirly Twirly Sweets, in Manchester Chambers; 10 per cent off any item purchased at Nursery Goods Direct, Yorkshire Street, plus much more.

Tommyfield Market traders are also joining in with offers, including a free pair of socks when purchasing any outfit from Marwood Babywear, a free cake from Marians Cake Stall when spending £10 and a free gift wrap from Ugly’s fancy dress shop.

All you have to do take part in this free festive event is visit our Facebook pages – facebook.com/loveoldham or facebook.com/tommyfieldmarkethall – and twitter pages – @oldhamcouncil – every night.

Unlike an advent calendar, we will be revealing the offers twice, in the evening and again in the morning, to give you the best chance of accessing them.

Then all you have to do is go along to the retailer or business and just mention ’24 days of Christmas’.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Culture and Tourism, said:
“Our high streets, markets and shopping habits have changed in recent years due to online trading, out-of-town retail parks and supermarket chains.”
“So it is important that we support and help independent traders and existing businesses, especially in the run up to Christmas as it is their most important trading time of the year.”

“Businesses and traders are doing their bit by offering some great offers so I’d urge residents to take advantage of them and grab the chance to save some money in the run up to Christmas.”

“We’ve also got a great programme of events going on in the town centre, including the Brass Monkeys music event on December 6 and our popular Victorian Weekend on December 20 and 21 so you can do your shopping and be entertained.”

Oldham Council is also supporting Small Business Saturday on December 6.
The event aims to support, inspire and promote small businesses and encourage people to ‘shop local’.

Among those taking part in this year’s event is Swirly Twirly Sweets, the traditional American sweet shop based in Manchester Chambers. The quirky business has been selected as one of the top 100 businesses across the UK by the event’s organisers.

Cllr Stretton added:
“Oldham town centre has some great retailers and with interest in the Independent Quarter growing then it looks like our offer to residents and visitors will only get better in the future.”

Shoppers can enjoy free parking for upto three hours at all Oldham Council town centre car parks at weekends and it is free all day at Hobson Street car park. But don’t forget – you must take a ticket from the machine and display it in your vehicle.
To find out more about Small Business Saturday at http://www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com
Information about all of Oldham’s Christmas events can be found at http://www.visitoldham.com