Oakham's Late Night Christmas Shopping Shines Despite Setbacks

Oakham's Late Night Christmas Shopping Shines Despite Setbacks

The spirit of Christmas truly came alive in Oakham last night (Monday 15th December) as the town hosted its annual Late Night Christmas Shopping event, organised by Carolyn Acton Events. Despite facing a number of logistical challenges, the general consensus among attendees was one of resounding success, with many enjoying a festive evening out.

This year’s event saw a noticeable reduction in size compared to previous years, and while a number of local shops opted not to extend their opening hours, this did little to dampen the festive atmosphere. Shoppers enjoyed browsing the stalls that were present.

"It was a lovely atmosphere," commented one shopper. "A little smaller than I remember, but the stalls that were here were fantastic, and it felt very Christmassy."

The most significant change this year was the absence of activity in the Market Place, which has historically served as the main hub and focal point of the late-night festivities.

Organiser Carolyn Acton explained the difficult decision to forgo its use: "We were not permitted to utilise the Market Place this year without incurring a significant charge levied by the Hanbury Estate, who own the space. Unfortunately, the level of booking interest from stallholders to use the market place was not sufficient to cover these substantial costs."

As a result, the usually bustling Market Place remained strikingly empty throughout the evening, a sight described by some residents as "eerie." This absence clearly shifted the event's focus, but the alternative locations managed to capture the town's spirit effectively.

Despite the hurdles, Carolyn Acton's dedication ensured that the event provided a much-needed boost of Christmas spirit for the community. The success of the night, driven by the enthusiasm of those who attended and the resilience of the participating traders, proves that Oakham's Christmas spirit remains strong.

The main sponsor for the event was Connolly Financial Service based in South Street Oakham, who also provide free visits to Santa.