Rain hits shopping campaign

INDEPENDENT retailers in Henley were disappointed with the first Shop Under the Stars event, as it was spoiled by wet weather.

More than 25 shops stayed open later than normal for the late-night shopping event last Friday, which was designed to boost trade in the run-up to Christmas. There was a range of added attractions, including performances by musicians and shops offered refreshments.

Three teachers from Queen Anne’s School in Caversham had a pop-up food trailer serving hot chocolate and mulled wine.

But most traders blamed the poor weather for putting people off while the event, organised by the town council, had not been properly co-ordinated, they said.

Heavy and persistent rain during the evening saw shops close as early as 6pm and entertainers, Freddie and the Freeloaders, did not perform their 6pm to 7.30pm slot.

The 10 wooden huts in the Market Place, which are in place until Sunday, were also closed and some Christmas lights in Bell Street and Reading Road were not working.

Daisy Smith, the town council’s communication manager, said: “There was great enthusiasm around the event but unfortunately it was a case of rain stopping play.”

Mint Velvet in Market Place took about £2,500 from the two-and-a-half hours it was open. They offered 20 per cent off and served prosecco and elderflower drinks. Gemma Harper, the shop manager, approached the town council to move the late-night shopping to a new night, separate from the Christmas lights switch-on on the previous Friday.

She said: “However lovely the Christmas festival event is, it has not been great for the retailers because it’s a lot of families who are out socialising with each other with their kids getting high on sugar. We only took £500 and outside my doors, there’s usually lots of broken glass and sick, so it’s not always great for us.”

Ms Harper was disappointed that some shops closed their doors earlier than advertised, given it was an event to support the local economy. She said: “People come down expecting shops to be open, yet they’re not. It doesn’t bode well if people have made that effort to come out and they have closed the shop.

“We’re not a boutique, we’re a brand and very established but I think shops need to make more of an effort — it’s a shame. We could have closed our shop because of the rain but we didn’t.”

Elizabeth Hook, manager of Biggie Best of Duke Street, said the evening wasn’t very well-advertised.

“It was disappointing,” she said. “I think solely because of the weather but I think people weren’t aware of what was happening as it wasn’t as advertised as the previous week.

“We still had between 40 and 50 customers but I’m not sure if people are just being careful with their money.”

Sandie Harrow, the co-owner of Stocks, a ladies’ gift and clothing store in Bell Street, closed at 6pm.

She said: “There should have been more co-ordination from the town council. Why wasn’t a flyer put in every shop window or boards put out and signs in the street? It has not been handled well and wasn’t well organised or advertised.”

Weird Fish in Bell Street, which sells lifestyle clothing, was open until 8pm. It handed out around
20 mince pies and served mulled wine.

Manager Tracey Ball said: “It has been okay and it has been worth opening later but it has been very quiet because of the rain and the fact the Christmas huts were shut from 6pm.

“If the weather had been better, the town council had got behind it a bit more and the Christmas lights were working, I think it could have been a great event.”

Jeremy Stewart, 63, from Hambleden, came to visit his daughter Amelia Stewart, 19, who works at the lifestyle clothing retailer. He purchased a light blue Christmas-themed jumper.

He said: “It seems like they’ve had a good day today but it’s a shame about the weather this evening.”

Sarah Cheeseman, 35, from near Whitchurch, came with her sisters Becky and Lizzie, and her mum Alison. They browsed clothes, home décor and fragrances in the White Company in Market Place, which opened last month.

Ms Cheeseman said: “I’ve come with my family as we’ve booked a lovely little staycation house to stay in as a mum and daughter weekend and we thought we would come for a little shopping evening out.

“I’m usually quite productive with my Christmas shopping but I have a little bit left over in the budget, so I’m more looking for myself — I do love a White Company candle.

“I have some nieces as well, so I might get some extra little bits for them.”