Page 14 - Real Rochdale Issue 12 Winter 2021

Keep your festive shopping local
this Christmas
Christmas in Rochdale is a magical time of year and there’s no better place to get all your
festive shopping sorted in one fell swoop – and support your high street at the same time.
For the fashion-conscious relative in your life,
there’s plenty of inspiration to be found in
fabulous independent stores such as
Buckley Menswear, End Boutique, Chantilly
and Okeechobee – as well as large retail
chains including River Island, New Look, M&S
and H&M.
After the last two years, we all deserve some
pampering! Pick up a voucher for a spot of
‘me-time’ at beauty and hair salons like The
Retreat, The Hairdressing Room, Couzens
Hair Studio and Simply Special. Don’t forget
to top up on a vast range of beauty products
at Boots or Superdrug – perfect for stocking
fillers.
For those conscious of their wellbeing,
Rochdale has a wealth of businesses offering
everything from nutritional or mindful gifts
and experiences, including the Health Food
Centre, Ladies Only Gym and JD Gym.
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2021 14
You can even bag further bargains with the
Rochdale town centre is a thriving hub of
shopping outlets, offering well-known brands and
local independent stores, making our beautiful
town perfect for finding those unique gifts.
From that tricky-to-buy-for dad to the sister who
has everything and great gifts for little ones, the
town centre boasts a huge variety of options
across fashion, health and beauty, food and drink,
lifestyle and so much more - read on for our
suggestions on Christmas shopping in Rochdale.
Not forgetting the youngsters who make this
time of year so magical, Rochdale has lots of
toy shops with gifts for all ages. If you’re
looking for games, books, outdoor toys or
educational items, make sure you visit The
Works and WHSmith.
Rochdale centre also houses a plethora of
quirky and individual small businesses
providing something truly unique: visit
Cheetham Street or the Baillie Street Quarter
for a vibrant community of independents.
After your Christmas shopping list is ticked
off, treat yourself to a pit stop at one of the
town’s tantalising cafes or restaurants. There
is an array of options to tempt everyone’s
taste buds with a trip to Petit Bistro,
Medicine Tap, Bombay Brew, Bean, Brown’s
Cakes, The Flying Horse Hotel, The Baum…
You’re spoilt for choice!
Santa’s Post Box at the Wheatsheaf
help of ‘LoyalFree’ – an innovative loyalty app
Centre
which helps you to find all the deals in town and Santa’s elves have once again installed a special
loyalty schemes straight from your
smartphone. App users can save money when interactive postbox for Christmas letters at
they choose to shop local as you can save the Baillie Street entrance of the Wheatsheaf
money in over 60 of your favourite town centre Centre – we must have been good!
businesses – and it’s free to download!
Letter-writing kits can be collected from Bean
In addition to exclusive deals, LoyalFree also at Riverside or you can get creative and
provides useful information including a local prepare one yourself.
guide, fun local events and interesting trails –
such as a walking tour of all the amazing street Letters are sent via special elf magic to the
art in the area. North Pole and you may even get a response
from Father Christmas himself…
Download the app for Android or iOS by
searching ‘LoyalFree’.
Dates for your diary
• A Christmas Fair will be at the Exchange Shopping Centre on Saturday 20 November.
• The Christmas Food and Artisan Fayre will be at Riverside on Saturday 4 December.
• Santa will return to Touchstones on 11,12,18 & 19 December. The magical Christmas
grotto will feature festive storytelling, fun craft activities and a meeting with the man
himself. Book early to avoid disappointment.
• A family festive tea with Father Christmas is taking place at the Medicine Tap on
Tuesday 7 December, with Christmas crafts, a photo opportunity with Santa and a gift
for every child. Booking is essential.
• The Vegan Market returns to Rochdale Riverside on Saturday 18 December.
• There’s no need to wish for a white Christmas this year, when you can step into a
Winter Wonderland in an inflatable snow globe! Large enough to fit up to eight adults,
it’s the perfect setting for a festive photo. With a bespoke backdrop, take some
selfies inside or have a full snow globe photo from outside. The globe will be at
Riverside on Saturday 4 & 18 December and at the Exchange Shopping Centre on
Saturday 11 December.
@rochdaletown /rochdaletowncentre @rochdaletowncentre
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