Now we’re encouraging you to think, shop and buy local in the coming weeks.
As well as asking you to ‘think local’ when doing your Christmas shopping, we’re also promoting some of the special activities and promotions the county’s towns and businesses are putting on in the run up to Christmas.
You can find out more below.
If you know of any activities or promotions taking place across Shropshire to encourage people to spend locally, please let us know so that we can add them to this page.
Bishop’s Castle
Social distancing measures
Parking is prohibited on Church Street
Bridgnorth
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Social distancing measures
Saturday market stall holders are creating a socially-distanced set-up in High Street.
Church Stretton
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Social distancing measures
On High Street/Sandford Avenue, additional footway width is being provided. A one-way system is in place on High Street to facilitate extending the one-way down Shrewsbury Road, providing single-lane traffic and potential for social distancing.
Ellesmere
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Social distancing measures
Traffic management measures have been introduced on a short section of Cross Street to provide extra footway width and social distancing.
Late night shopping
The chamber of commerce is hoping to organise a late night shopping event.
Click and collect
A list of shops with click and collect services has been compiled.
Christmas Winter Festival
Sadly, the Ellesmere Christmas Winter Festival won't take place this year, so no stalls or parade will be held in the town this time.
Ludlow
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Social distancing measures
From 2 December King Street will be closed between 10am and 3pm on Friday and Saturday for pedestrianisation/reallocation of road space.
Festive markets
A series of festive markets will be held in Ludlow throughout December.
Late-night shopping
Several of Ludlow’s independent shops will be opening their doors until 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays from now until Christmas. This is a great chance to kick-start your Christmas shopping in style in a safe and relaxed environment.
Market Drayton
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Social distancing measures
On High Street, parking has been suspended close to the post office.
Online Christmas Spice Market
The town’s Ginger and Spice Festival is holding an online Christmas Spice Market which will also donate a percentage of sales to the town’s foodbank.
Much Wenlock
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Social distancing measures
Traffic management measures have been introduced on a short section of High Street to provide extra footway width and social distancing, with closure of adjacent parking bays. Parking is suspended as directed on site by signs and traffic measures.
Oswestry
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January. This includes the Oak Street, Festival Square, Beatrice Street and Oswald Road car parks.
In addition, Oswestry Town Council is offering free parking at the Central, Horsemarket and Smithfield Road car parks on Saturdays and Sundays on 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20 December.
New webpage and online advert
Oswestry BID has played an important role in helping traders in the run up to Christmas with the launch of an online advert, highlighting some of the ways businesses have been adapting to the current situation to still deliver goods to customers.
A webpage has also been set up, showcasing the measures a whole host of businesses have brought in to aid customers.
Late-night shopping
Due to tier two restrictions, late night shopping has now been cancelled this year.
Social distancing measures
Church Street has been made one-way with reallocation of pedestrian space and loading bays. Alternative disabled parking has been provided at the side/rear of Festival Square.
Shifnal
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Shrewsbury
Plans are well in place to deliver a Christmas buzz to traders in Shrewsbury, albeit in a safe way.
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Social distancing measures
From 2 December High Street will be closed to motorised traffic between its junctions with Wyle Cop and Milk Street daily between 11am and 4pm. During the closure times, pedestrians will be able to use the entire highway space on this section of High Street. Traffic will be rerouted via Town Walls, Murivance, St Chad’s Terrace, Claremont Bank and Lower Claremont Bank.
During these hours, Wyle Cop will be closed uphill, but remain open downhill.
On Castle Street the bus lane is suspended from the Castle Street/Chester Street junction to the Castle Street/Pride Hill junction to provide additional footpath width for pedestrian use.
Find out more from our traffic management pages.
Shrewsbury shopping centres – Christmas opening hours
From 7 to 23 December the Darwin and Pride Hill shopping centres will be open from 8:30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 10:30am to 4:30pm on Sunday.
Shrewsbury’s Open
Dig out your favourite fleece because there’s loads of stuff Shrewsbury has to offer over the coming months, even if the days are a little shorter.
We’ve been working closely with local businesses to help make the town safe and secure for all to enjoy, and we’ll all be warming up to the cooler weather in no time.
Santa’s Grotto in the Darwin Centre
Youngsters hoping to see Santa this Christmas will be able to do so in a safe and socially-distanced way at his grotto in Shrewsbury’s Darwin Centre from 5 to 23 December.
A visit to the grotto costs £4 per child, and includes a gift. All proceeds are donated to Shrewsbury Town in the Community.
Advance booking is required via the Eventbrite website.
Chronicle Christmas Market – 19 and 20 December
The Chronicle Christmas Market brings festive cheer from the fields of Shropshire to Shrewsbury Square. Look out for delicious mince pies and steaming mulled wine, or be tempted by the best locally produced food. The market is also an opportunity to catch up on your Christmas shopping, with hand-made crafts and gifts for sale from local makers and traders.
More than 30 traders will also be in The Square on Saturday 4 December from 9:30am, offering a whole range of treats and gifts in a safe, socially distanced, outdoor environment.
Shop online
People are being urged to shop online with independent traders to show them support as the Christmas countdown begins. Take a look at the online directory for more information.
Wem
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
The town’s Christmas Lights Festival has been called off, but efforts are underway to brighten up the town and support local firms.
Window dressing
Shops in Wem are being encouraged to dress their windows to help give the town a festive feel, with prizes for the best turned out to be announced later in December.
Christmas trees
The town has had two Christmas trees put up in Church Green and Jubilee Square.
Whitchurch
Free parking
Parking will be free in all Shropshire Council car parks between 11am and 6pm from 3 December to 17 January.
Christmas Panto Scarecrow Competition
In an endeavour to raise spirits and bring smiles across the town, Whitchurch Chamber of Trade is holding its first ever Whitchurch Christmas Panto Scarecrow Competition. Businesses are urged to display their scarecrow from Saturday 5 December, with judging to take place on 12 December.
It’s been a difficult year for the county’s businesses so we’re encouraging Shropshire’s residents to ‘Think, Shop, Buy Local’ this Christmas, and help give our traders, our towns, and the local economy a real boost.