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October 31st, 2010 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Vintage Sadler

Discover Shopping at Christmas in Derby

Christmas will soon be upon us for another year and as the nights draw in and all the festive excitement gathers momentum, the thoughts of the people of Derby will be starting to turn towards Christmas shopping in Derby.

In recent years, Christmas shopping in Derby has been taken to a new level with the arrival of the Westfield Centre (located off St Peter's St and London Rd) which has a wide range of outlets offering everything from cutting-edge fashion and fine foods to stylish homeware or the latest gadgets.

However, the Westfield Shopping Centre is not the be all and end all of Christmas shopping in Derby. If you venture down to Sadler Gate and Iron Gate which make up the historic Cathedral Quarter, you will find a variety of independent retail outlets selling gifts and clothing, interspersed with charming pubs and restaurants for that well earned pit-stop.

You will also find a number of the big high street names lining the Victorian buildings of the pedestrian area that is Victoria St and the Cornmarket (located on the south side of the Market Place.)

If markets are your thing then Derby has several. Market Hall sits at the bottom of Iron Gate and houses an indoor market selling clothes, fruit, veg, meat, fish and sweets, so would be ideal for a visit when planning your Christmas Dinner. There is also a fresh fish market in The Lock Up Yard, off the Cornmarket. A farmers market can be found every 3rd Thursday of the month in the Marketplace and on various occasions throughout the year also a continental market.

Christmas shopping in Derby would not be the same without a Christmas Market and this year you can find it at The Roundhouse in Pride Park. Hosted by FabulousPlaces, the market will consist of local food and producers selling hand-picked gifts and food as well as decorations, clothing and jewellery. The market has over 70 stalls and there's even a craft corner to keep the little ones busy.

If you are planning on some Christmas shopping in Derby, why not coincide you trip with the annual Christmas lights switch-on which will take place this year on Saturday 20th November and will feature 2 acts from this year's X-Factor – male group The Reason and girl group Hustle. The festive parade, from The Spot down to the Market Place, will commence at 4.15pm - expect to see Toad and friends (from The Wind in the Willows) in his classic vintage car, the delightful, yet outrageous Widow Twankey (from Aladdin) and everyone's favourite - Santa!

If you want to avoid Christmas shopping in Derby at the weekends, or you tend to leave it all to the last minute, then you will need to be aware of Christmas shopping opening hours in the run up to Christmas and, for the sales, over the New Year. Store Christmas opening hours are as follows:

Derby's Westfield Centre

Mon 13th - Fri 17th Dec: 9am-9pm, Sat 18th Dec: 9am-7pm, Sun 19th Dec: 10.30am-4.30pm, Mon 20th - Thurs 23rd Dec: 9am-10pm, Christmas Eve: 9am-5pm, Christmas Day: Closed, Boxing Day: 10.30am-4.30pm, Mon 27th - Thurs 30th Dec: 9am-8pm, New Years Eve: 9am-5pm, New Years Day: Closed, Mon 3rd Jan: 10am-5pm

Stores Outside Westfield

Thursdays 2 -16 Dec some retailers may open until 8pm. Christmas Week: 20-23 Dec 9am until 7pm, Christmas Eve: 9am until 5pm latest, Christmas Day: closed, Boxing Day 9am - 5pm, 27 Dec: 9am until 5.30pm, 28-30 Dec: 9am - 5.30pm, New Year's Eve: 9am until 5pm, New Year's Day: closed

Please Note: The above times are a general guide to Christmas opening hours, however some individual retailers may not adhere to this schedule. Please check with individual retailers before leaving.

About the Author

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