Ramsey Town Commissioners voice support for town’s Chamber of Commerce. isleofman.com Entertainment

Ramsey Town Commissioners have expressed their support of efforts being made by Ramsey Chamber of Commerce to attract shoppers to the town centre in the run-up to Christmas.

The Chamber, in conjunction with the Commissioners, has arranged for the switching on of the Christmas lights to coincide with this year's Children in Need campaign on Friday November 16th, with the Town Hall the focus of festive events starting at 4.30pm when Pudsey Bear will be in attendance, ‘snow' is forecast and mince pies and mulled wine will be served before the Christmas lights are switched on at 5pm by the Royal British Legion's Poppy Princess.

The Chamber has also invited pupils from Auldyn School and Scoill Ree Gorree to decorate baubles for the Christmas tree and arranged for Santa to be in his Ramsey grotto on four Saturdays in December.

Separately the Chamber has organised a prize-packed Santa Trail for Sunday December 9th that will see a section of Parliament Street closed to accommodate street entertainment, stalls and a hog roast.

Ramsey Town Commissioners' chairman Captain Nigel Malpass said: ‘We applaud Ramsey Chamber of Commerce for the imaginative programme of events they are arranging in the run-up to Christmas at a time of challenging trading conditions and increased pressure on households' budgets. The chamber's creativity and vision complement the Ramsey regeneration scheme and make a valuable contribution to revitalising the town centre.

‘Town centres today have to be so much more than a retail hub; they have to serve as community-focused spaces by day and by night - year round, not simply at Christmas - if they are to attract new businesses and investment and if they are not merely to survive but to thrive. The Commissioners are therefore pleased to lend their support to Ramsey Chamber of Commerce and wish them well in their endeavours during this crucial trading period.'

For more details of Ramsey Chamber of Commerce's Christmas programme contact secretary@rcoc.im or chair@rcoc.im or call 816828.