Way to glow! Victoria Centre shop is turned into magical Christmas forest experience
A COLOURFUL and free Christmas experience awaits shoppers at Nottingham’s Victoria Centre.
An empty shop on the ground floor previously Topshop - has been transformed into a festive winter forest filled with rows and rows of bulbs containing more than 30,000 LED lights.
The Glow Room - an immersive light experience brought to life by local children’s author Jamie Croshaw follows the success of this summer’s Roller Room in the same unit.
More than 3,000 people had booked the experience before the doors opened yesterday.
The first youngsters to visit loved wandering within the strings of colourchanging lights as a festive story about a robin in Sherwood Forest, especially written by Notts firefighter Jamie Croshaw, played in the background.
Jemma Atkin, of Carlton, was with her daughter Evie, two-and-a-half.
She said: “It’s absolutely gorgeous. She is absolutely loving it - she’s mesmerised.”
One-year-old Charlie Brooks, of Clifton, was captivated by it. His dad Luke Brooks said: “I didn’t know what to expect. It looks really nice - he likes it.”
The half-hour experience must be pre-booked and is free - with the option of making a donation to Victoria Centre’s charity - Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.
Jamie, whose debut children’s book, Meet Crumb!, was published in 2018, came up with a Christmas tale about a shy little bird called Robin who, with the help of Victoria the pixie, attempts to regain his confidence and find his singing voice, spreading festive cheer.
Jamie, who lives in north Notts, said: “It’s brilliant - it’s for a really good cause.
“It will make great Christmas photos with so many lights around.”
The Glow Room is open daily from 11am until January 9. Donations for Rainbows are already topping £1,500.
Victoria Centre director Nigel Wheatley said: “This is our most ambitious Christmas experience yet. Restrictions last year meant Christmas was significantly scaled back so we wanted our 2021 experience to capture the true essence of the season and create something truly magical.”
In line with the latest government guidance visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings unless exempt.
Bookings are limited for each session and hand sanitiser stations are available throughout the centre and inside the experience.
To book go to victoria-centre.com/events/glow