Local Stoke Newington retailers in North London, to include independent gift and card shops such as Earlybird Designs in Church Street, are looking forward to ‘A Very Stokey Christmas’ event that’s taking place this Sunday (December 8).
Heidi Early, co-owner of Earlybird Designs, who is among the organisers of ‘A Stokey Christmas’ told GiftsandHome.net, that the event has been months in the planning. “We normally hold a late night shopping event in December but we decided that this year we would devote a whole day to promoting Christmas shopping in the town.”
Heidi continued: “There will be lots of activities taking place in all of the shops and cafes ranging from prosecco and mince pies to candle dipping and a Christmas jumper competition. There will also be a Santa’s grotto outside the local fire station, with one of the fire fighters dressed up as Santa, and we’re delighted to have received over 700 gifts.”
In addition there will be a huge raffle raising money for three charities – Hackney Quest (which supports young people); Solace (which supports a local women’s refuge) and the Winter Toy Appeal (which supports local children who do not receive Christmas presents).
Plus, various local choirs will be singing outside the fire station, with musicians entertaining shoppers and everyone welcome to join in the community (fake) snowball fight.
“At Earlybird we will be running a children’s ‘design a Christmas card’ competition themed ‘A Very Stokey Christmas’,” confirmed Heidi. “Once the competition has closed, will be asking our customers to vote for their favourites, and we will subsequently have the winning design printed as a card range to sell in the shop for Christmas 2020.”
The Ark is another gift and card retailer in Stoke Newington who is full of praise for the A Stokey Christmas event. “It’s a really good idea for our local area,” enthuses Jo Georgiou, owner of The Ark. “Anything that gets the community involved in supporting their local independents is fantastic, and this is a great initiative. There’s so much negativity around that something like this gets people feeling optimistic and positive.”
Local shoppers will also be able to take part in the ‘Church Street trail’ by going into shops and cafes and answering a question related to the business. “We are hoping it will bring everyone out to the street for a fun day, building our community and while they’re there, maybe picking up a gift or too!” says Holly Wilson, owner of independent cookshop Prep.
Top: Local Stoke Newington independents have really got behind A Stokey Christmas event which takes place on Sunday (December 8).
