Plans for late night shopping in Uckfield

Uckfield will don its party hat on Friday, December 9, for the town’s late-night shopping evening.

Most of the town’s shops will be open until 9pm. Staff are being encouraged to wear fancy dress for the evening.

Shoppers will find entertainment at various points along the High Street. This has been co-ordinated by Uckfield Chamber of Commerce.

What’s on and where

Near Bridge Cottage: Santa will park his sleigh on the forecourt of the cottage. Children will be able to visit Father Christmas and tell him what they would like in their stockings.

Santa will be helped by members of Uckfield Lions.

Between Carvills and HSBC: A hog roast.

Civic Approach: Uckfield Baptist Church will set up their Get in the Picture Nativity scene where you are the star.

The church has a selection of suitable clothes available for use on the night. Dress up as one of the characters from the Nativity scene, form your own group, smile and away you go for a free portrait.

South of the post office: The Uckfield FM stage with performances by local school pupils.

The running order of schools (subject to change):

5.30pm Framfield CE Primary School
6.00pm Rock Park School
6.30pm Little Horsted CE School
7pm Harlands Primary School
7.30pm Manor Primary School
8pm Holy Cross CE School
8.30pm Spiritus from UCTC

Elizabeth Gardens: The King’s Church will once again take over the gardens, just a short step from the High Street. This year it is staging a live Nativity with sound and light entitled a Step in Time.

In the King’s Church centre – in Grange Road, opposite the Gardens, there will be live story-telling, puppet shows, children’s crafts and refreshments.

Around the town: St Wilfrid’s Hospice is organising a competition involving a trail of numbered stars being placed in shops with children noting down which stars are in which shops. Stars to be obtained by a £1 donation from the St. Wilfrid's shop and forms will also be available from there.

Look out also for street entertainment.

The High Street will remain open to traffic.

Chamber of Commerce president, Peter Gale, said: “Late-night shopping has become one of the highlights of Uckfield’s social calendar.

“It’s a chance for everyone to enjoy some of the Christmas spirit as they look around the wide range of shops we now have and be entertained on the streets.”