The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Merry ferry Grinch Christmas
The Broughty Ferry Traders’ Association would like to formally invite you to “eat, drink and be merry whilst Christmas shopping in Broughty Ferry”. Since the early 1900s the BFTA have been encouraging people to shop local and now the area is gearing up for one of their biggest Christmases yet – with Christmas Shopping Sunday this weekend.
The Broughty Traders have gone all out this year to promote and create a party atmosphere for what’s shaping up to be a huge event this Sunday (16th December). Now in its fourth year and bigger and better than previous years, it will see Brook Street partially closed off to make way for a number of fun family events, while local shops will throw their doors open.
One of the event’s organisers is Steve James, chairman of the Broughty Ferry Traders’ Association. Steve, who runs John James Roofing Services, said: “All major shopping centres are open on a Sunday now, so on the back of Small Business Saturday, we want to encourage our local shops that don’t normally open on a Sunday to support us, take a leap of faith open this Sunday and make this a prosperous busy annual event.
“As well as the chance to shop local, there will be carnival rides, an inflatable Santa’s Grotto, two vintage buses (including one called Henry) and a Christmas fair at the YMCA on Sunday.
“It’s all about bringing the community and local businesses together in Broughty Ferry for some festive fun whether it be for a bite to eat , some last minute shopping or a family day out to visit Santa and have a wee tour on our special vintage Santa express bus to his grotto”.
There will also be two special VIP guests attending Christmas Shopping Sunday
– the Grinch (who has already changed ‘Merry Ferry Christmas’ to ‘Merry Ferry GRINCHMAS’!) and the mischievous Elf on The Shelf. The pair will be wandering about the town, posing for photos, and causing chaos in the Ferry! Look out for them.
You may also spot two cheeky Minions at the Christmas craft fair at the YMCA. The fair will also provide an ideal shopping opportunity as there will be 14 stalls selling handcrafted goods – perfect for any last minute gifts or stocking fillers. And, Brown Street carpark will be open from 12-5pm on Sunday where it is free to park.
Sandro Paladini, of Eduardo Alessandro Studios and Deputy Chairman of the BFTA, is delighted to support the event and said: “Broughty Ferry businesses are known for their good service, quality and value, and it’s great to see that so many of the Ferry’s excellent independent stores will be open on Sunday, offering a great choice of unique quality gifts, fashions, foods and wines and more.
“Broughty Ferry takes great pride in the diversity of goods and services that its businesses offer and Christmas Shopping Sunday is the perfect opportunity for everyone to enjoy some hassle free, great value Christmas shopping all served up with a smile.”
It’s all about bringing the community and local businesses together in Broughty Ferry for some festive fun
If the founders of the Broughty Ferry Traders’ Association could see how the town has evolved over the years, they would be very proud. And that’s down a small team of volunteers made up of local business owners and residents all with a massive passion for Broughty Ferry.
You will remember the huge success of the Gala Week this year? Well, plans are already in place for the week-long 2019 event. And, of course, who could forget this year’s Christmas lights switch-on, which attracted 8,000 people spectators? All profits generated from these community events are ploughed back into the Association to help the team stage more of the same, because events like these that keep the Ferry thriving, said Steve.
He added: “There’s so much community spirit in Broughty Ferry. We are a small town with a beautiful beach, a castle, a high street, shops, cafes, quality boutiques, lively pubs and restaurants, The Association has grown over the last 5 years from 57 to 122 small businesses all getting together and making sure we thrive as a town, we successfully punch above our weight as small towns go so it’s no wonder we are known as ‘the jewel in Dundee’s crown’.”
*For more information about Christmas Shopping Sunday, which is on from 12-4pm on Sunday (16th December), visit www.broughtyferry.co.uk