THERE will be an outdoor Christmas emporium in Douglas in the run up to the festive period.

The Douglas Development Partnership has organised the emporium which will showcase items including cupcakes, candy floss, Christmas cards, Christmas puddings and a wide range of delicatessen products.

The emporium will take place on Thursdays and Sundays until Christmas and will be held along Castle Street and Marina Road.

Gill Anderson, the town centre manager for Douglas, said: "The Christmas emporium is the essential place to be for distinctively different gifts, festive food and entertainment.

"With free parking every Thursday evening from now until Christmas in the Bottleneck and Shaw's Brow car parks and on Douglas Promenade walkway Douglas is the destination for Christmas shopping with a difference.

"We're also grateful to the Department of Economic Development for attracting a number of small businesses who have benefited from its small business start-up scheme to participate."

The Christmas emporium will be officially opened by Laurence Skelly MHK, the political member for the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for retail, on Thursday, November 24 at 5pm.

The emporium will then be open from 5pm to 9pm on Thursdays and from 12pm to 5pm on Sundays.

Stalls are still available and cost £10 for a half stall or £20 for a full stall. The Douglas Development Partnership will provide the tables for merchandise.

For more information contact Gill Anderson by telephoning 01624 612022 or by e-mailing ganderson@douglas.gov.im.