UK's largest illuminated Santa display coming to Corby this Christmas

The UK’s largest illuminated Santa display will be the centrepiece of this year’s Christmas activities in Corby town centre.

The giant ‘Mr Kriss’ – measuring 5m high and 7m across - will be installed in Corporation Street tomorrow (November 18).

The town centre will also be bedecked with Christmas lights and real Christmas trees to add to the festive spirit.

Centre director Dan Pickard said: “This year it was always going to be a Christmas like no other with the continuing restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Then, just as we were finalising our Christmas activities, the government announced a second nationwide lockdown from 5 November to 2 December.

"We were due to welcome back the popular Historic Travelling Market at the end of November but, subject to any further restrictions, we hope to reschedule this for early December.

"Sadly, we will not be able to have our Santa’s Grotto this year, but we are pleased that we have been able to secure the services of Mr Kriss instead.”

Last year was Corby’s most successful Christmas ever, with its ice rink named as one of the top ten in Europe.

The Historic Travelling Market also attracted large crowds with a weekend of free entertainment and unique handmade gifts and Christmas fare on sale.

Dan Pickard said: “It’s been an extremely challenging year for retail and we can only hope that things start to improve as we head towards Christmas, so that family and friends can share this special time together with as few restrictions as possible.

"Over the past months, we’ve done our best to keep everyone safe as they shop in the town centre and, rest assured, we will continue to do so over the festive period.”

To bring some additional Christmas cheer, the town centre team is hosting an Advent Calendar competition on their Facebook page from December 1 to December 24, with the opportunity to win some great prizes as well as gift cards from local retailers.

Dan Pickard added: “We have a fabulous range of shops here in Corby town centre, where we are privileged to have many independent retailers, bars and restaurants nestled amongst some of the UK’s leading national brands, as well as a daily market.

“We very much want to encourage customers to support their town centre and to shop local this Christmas.”

Many ‘essential’ stores continue to trade in Corby town centre and retailers are looking forward to welcoming back customers in early December when, hopefully, the lockdown will be lifted.

Details of which stores continue to trade, as well as Christmas activities, can be found on Corby town centre’s website at willowplace.co.uk.

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