Tills ring out as traders report a positive festive season

THE TILLS were ringing out for Christmas across Hinckley as the town’s shops, restaurants, cafes and even micro pubs enjoyed a successful festive season.

In the run-up to Christmas, many of Hinckley’s independent businesses reported a flurry of customers, with residents keen to buy their gifts locally.

Restaurants, pubs, cafes and micro pubs also saw a boom in trade, with the festive season proving to be a case of Jingle Tills for everyone in the town centre.

Mother and daughter duo Tilley Rathie and Trudy Tebbut, who run the award-winning gift boutique Marmalade Meringue, said: “We had the most fantastic Christmas here at Marmalade Meringue. Thank you so much to everyone who supported us over the festive period, the shop was absolutely buzzing!

“Our best selling gifts this year were fashion accessories, which included beautiful scarves, handbags, pom pom hats, gloves and jewellery.

“We are so excited about 2018 - we have some amazing plans in the pipeline, which we can’t wait to share with you. Happy New Year everyone.”

Meanwhile, one of Hinckley’s newest businesses, Tracey’s CakeCraft, based at the top of Castle Street, also had an exciting Christmas, with many of their items proving to be a sellout.

Tracey said: “We have had a really warm welcome from the residents of Hinckley. They have been really friendly and have complimented us on the appearance of our shop and the standard of our cakes.

“We were busier then we expected, having only opened on December 8, to the point that our cake supplies were selling out faster then we could restock.

“As far as best sellers go, our Xmas cake orders were top followed be our cake jars and Christmas truffles boxes.

“It seems they were perfect stocking fillers and teacher gifts!”

In December, the town also opened its doors to a Winter Wonderland, with Hinckley BID’s magical Santa’s Grotto opening at the Leisure centre in Argents Mead.

Steve Wegerif, from Hinckley BID, believes that this led to a surge in happy shoppers. He added: “Hinckley town centre was buzzing this December, not only with families enjoying the many Christmas festivities (especially our popular Santa’s Grotto) but also with shoppers taking advantage of the thousands of gifts available from Hinckley’s 160 retailers.

“Many have reported that this was a very busy period for them, including some of those who have only just opened their busi- nesses.”

Sue Summerill, who runs the Pestle & Mortar micro pub on Upper Castle Street, echoed other business owners, saying: “We were busy straight through Christmas - lots of new and regular faces.

“Our plans for the New Year are our usual Burn’s night celebration, with pipers, and to keep our regulars happy and safe.

“On that point, not one bit of trouble all Christmas - it was brilliant and a pleasure to work.”

Adam Crump, from The Railway Inn, added: “The Railway Steamin’ Billy had a good Christmas.

“(We were) fully booked for Christmas Day by September and our New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Dance was full before Halloween.

“(As for) Christmas parties, there were more than previous years too, with lots more drinkers in our refreshed bar areas.”