Brentwood High Street is gearing up for Christmas with more than 30 shops planning to open for Sunday trading in the run up to December 25.

Starting on November 30 shops including Argos, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Marks and Spencers, Next, Ottakars and Sainsbury's will be opening in order to cope with the added rush of people shopping for Christmas gifts.

In previous years, this period has proved popular in Brentwood before and High Street retailers will be hoping for similar results this time.

The shops will be opening at a variety of times between 10am and 5pm until the last Sunday before Christmas, December 21, but not all of the shops are open on every Sunday.

Businesses in the Town Centre are also being urged to get into the festive spirit by taking part in the annual Christmas Windows Competition.

The competition is due to take place on Thursday, November 27 and the winners will be presented with their trophies at the Brentwood Christmas Magic event on Saturday, November 29.

The judges in the contest will include the Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Shirley Howe, Chairman of the Brentwood Town Centre Partnership, Michael Coates, Roy Dyer of Brentwood Events and Executive Secretary of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Frank Wildman and the festive window displays will be marked on their relevance to Christmas, originality and overall effect.

There will also be a chance to get some Christmas gifts during the Brentwood Christmas Magic event and after your shopping you can stay in the Town Centre to enjoy the entertainment on show which will be followed by the switching on of the seasonal light and a fireworks display.

As part of this event the High Street will be closed to traffic from 12noon to 8pm allowing visitors more freedom to explore the shops and the Brentwood Town Centre Partnership is hopeful that some will offer festive treats and have its staff in fancy dress as part of the occasion.

Published Wednesday November 19, 2003

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