Festive shop displays in the centre of Bath are being used to bring some festive cheer to the city as well as encourage residents to stay safe and shop locally.
One of the windows on Milsom Street | Photo courtesy of B&NES Council
To coincide with Christmas activities in the city centre, B&NES Council is working with partners and private landlords to showcase heritage buildings.
A programme of activities is scheduled through to 20th December, involving a partnership between Visit Bath, Bath Festivals and Bath BID to encourage people to rediscover the magic of Bath at Christmas within the latest coronavirus restrictions.
The Christmas shop windows project has decorated several shops in Milsom Street, against a backdrop of new outdoor seating areas within mini ‘parklets’ created in former car parking bays.
A window display has also been installed at Milsom Place.
A selfie window has also been installed at 33 Stall Street which is raising funds for Mentoring Plus, a local charity which supports young people.
A pop-up food shop on New Bond Street, Artisans’ Deli, is being run by a consortium of local food and drinks producers including Kettlesmith Brewery, the Cake Architects, Megs Cottage Fudge, Go Wild Preserves, Fussels Rapeseed Oil and Leafy Tea UK.
The council has worked in partnership with St Johns Foundation, Milsom Place and private landlords to decorate as many shops as possible this Christmas, to showcase heritage buildings to potential new businesses while supporting the city’s economy.
Councillor Dine Romero, Council Leader, said: “Despite the uncertainties of life at the moment, it’s important for our wellbeing and for the local economy that we look forward to Christmas celebrations and presenting Bath in its best light for people to visit safely.
“The Bath at Christmas shop project makes Bath look even more stunning in the festive season. It’s a great addition to the city’s Bath at Christmas programme of celebrations.”
The Bath at Christmas shop windows have been decorated working in partnership with Bath Carnival, ArtSeen Lantern Festival, Nightjar Events, the Natural Theatre Company and will include displays from the Royal United Hospital, Bath BID, Bathscape and Creativity Works.
