Christmas campaign has special night

In The Neighbourhood coffee, in Martinborough, are putting everyone who shops there on late night Christmas shopping Friday in the draw to win a gingerbread house. WAG 11Dec15 - YUM: Everyone who

Martinborough businesses are encouraging its residents to shop locally this Christmas with a special late night shopping evening tonight.

All shops will be open until 8pm, after which the night life will kick in at the Martinborough Hotel Bar and Grill, where a "bad Santa" fancy dress party will take off with a DJ from 9pm.

The "Christmas in Martinborough shop local campaign" was an initiative of the Martinborough Business Association.

Committee member Trish Higginson said they wanted to drum up some enthusiasm in the lead-up to Christmas and encourage people to buy their Christmas gifts locally.

Mrs Higginson said shopping in Martinborough would have a "huge impact" on the town's economy, which would not only support the local jobs but would ensure that businesses in the town continued to grow.

"I think it's going to be really great and it's something we can build on each year. We're just trying to let people know there's a lot to buy in Martinborough."

She said all businesses had jumped on board and shops would be festively decorated.

Most businesses would have some kind of "specials" that would begin around 5pm.

Santa will be at Pain & Kershaw, who will be giving away a $500 voucher to one of its late night customers.

In The Neighbourhood Coffee will have Christmas gingerbread houses up for grabs, with shoppers between 4pm and 8pm going in the draw.

Oh My Goodness will open for their first ever night-time service with a burger and bubbles special and Micro Winebar will have sangria.

Wine Merchants are launching a new local artisan cheese, The Drunken Nanny, with a wine tasting.

Shoppers at Scarlet will receive a free olive and fig soap and Peonies will have two-for-one Christmas decorations.

Permanent newly-installed lights in four of Martinborough Square's trees will be switched on for the first time when dark, and Martinborough Community Choir will preform carols outside the Village Cafe from 7pm to 7.30pm.

Mrs Higginson, who has lived in Martinborough for 28 years, said she did about 95 per cent of her shopping in Martinborough.

By doing this, she had saved money on petrol.

She said it was more important to support local retailers than chain stores, huge supermarkets and malls.