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A Very Special Christmas in Kidderminster

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There will be plenty of sparkly festive fun in Kidderminster this Christmas.

Kidderminster Business Improvement District and Kidderminster Town Council have joined forces to make sure there is a huge Christmas tree in the town centre this year. The lights for the tree were switched on by The Mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Juliet Smith, on Wednesday November 24th.

Kidderminster BID has also organised an exciting Christmas scavenger hunt for children. Santa’s been flying too low and has crashed his sleigh. Children will be asked to help Santa and Eddie the Elf to find his belongings. See if you can find his sleigh driving licence and his big black boot, amongst other items in the windows of businesses around the town centre. The cheeky elves will also pop up in shop windows. The scavenger hunt will run from Saturday December 11th until Christmas Eve. There will also be an opportunity to ‘Take a Selfie with Eddie the Elfie’ next to the Christmas tree outside The Swan Centre.

Kidderminster BID Manager Alex Powell said: ‘I’m delighted that so many people have worked so hard to make Christmas special in Kidderminster town centre this year. It will be great to bring some festive joy into the lives of local people and attract more visitors into the town.’

Saturday December 11th is going to be a particularly magical day when Kidderminster Town Hall presents ‘Christmas at the Town Hall.’ Father Christmas will be in his grotto in the Town Hall courtyard. It’s a free event and every child will receive a gift from Father Christmas.  Book a slot or turn up on the day for a ‘walk-in’ meet and greet.  Website: kidderminstertownhall.ticketsolve.com/shows

There will be a traditional music organ outside the Town Hall, along with a Christmas market inside, adding to the festive cheer.  In the afternoon of 11th Dec, a magical elf will also be roaming the streets handing out balloons and goodies.

Father Christmas will be in Weavers Wharf on Saturday 4th, Saturday 11th and Saturday 18th December.

There’s an opportunity to meet the Happyland Father Christmas at The Entertainer in The Swan Centre on December 4th. He will be appearing at 10am and 4pm.

On December 18th there will be festive games, music and freebies in Exchange Place, outside the Town Hall, as part of the Christmas Costa Roadshow.

Students from Holy Trinity School will be singing Christmas Carols at the Museum of Carpet on Saturday December 11th from 11.00-12.00, and the museum will host book signing events on November 27th and December 4th where you will be able to get signed copies of books written by local Wyre Forest authors.

The town centre market will be operating on two additional dates, Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd December (in addition to Thursday 23rd September).

The spotlight will also shine on Kidderminster during the winter period with the Light up Kidderminster trail. The programme runs from November 20th. This is a free illuminated trail around Kidderminster with selfie points located around the town. All you need to do is pick up a map from the Town Hall, Museum of Carpet, Severn Valley Railway or download it from www.kidderminstertownhall.org.uk and you will be on your way.

The annual Christmas gift appeal with Wyre Forest charity Home-Start is once again giving you the chance to bring some seasonal joy to families in need across the district.

The appeal asks members of the community to buy a gift for a local child aged 0-18 whose families are facing difficulties.

If you would like to donate a gift you can drop it off at the Management Suite at The Swan Centre until Sunday December 12th

The KEMP Hospice Tree of Life is in The Swan Centre for you to tie on your memory tags.

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Kidderminster this Christmas by looking out for social media posts from Kidderminster Business Improvement District, Kidderminster Town Council and Kidderminster Town Hall.

Having-Fun-News

Food, fun and entertainment in Kidderminster this Autumn

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Whether you are looking to eat and drink, explore local heritage, have fun with the family or listen to live music, there’s plenty of things to do in Kidderminster this autumn.

For the October half term, the BID team have been organising some Halloween inspired fun in the town centre. The children’s spooky trail will weave its way around pedestrianised areas, taking in local businesses who are part of the trail. There will be free stickers to collect and treats for those who complete the trail and a prize draw at the start of November. Keep an eye on the BID’s social media for more detail in the coming weeks.

We are excited about the the opening of the Lume Cinema and the announcement of their film listings, including the new James Bond film and a range of classics for Halloween season.

‘There’s plenty for people to enjoy in Kidderminster and it’s a great place to spend your leisure time’ said Kidderminster Business Improvement Manager Alex Powell.

New live music venue 45 Live have some fantastic bands scheduled for October and November, whether you’re into the 80’s, 90’s or noughties the venue is attracting some popular tribute bands including UB40, the Police, The Smiths and 90’s Britpop.

When it comes to food and drink there’s no need to travel far to sample food from around the world. Kidderminster has a mouth watering array of interesting restaurants. For those who love Italy there’s Italian restaurant Love Food Italia in New Road. It has an excellent local reputation, and we thoroughly recommend you pay a visit if you haven’t already.

Baan Thai offers authentic Thai dishes. Ann, the chef and owner, started cooking by learning her mum’s recipes.

Chef’s kitchen in Lower Mill Street offers delicious Indian and Nepalese cuisine. It’s located next to La Brasserie, firmly established as one of the best places to eat in the town.

Bistrot Pierre is a spacious French restaurant overlooking the River Stour. The stylish bistrot offers a relaxing place to enjoy affordable French-style dishes, freshly prepared by their chefs every day. Whether you’re on a shopping trip, lunching with friends, fancy a relaxed family meal, or having a celebratory dinner, the bistrot is the perfect place to eat in Kidderminster.

Tappeto Lounge also overlooks the River Stour. It’s light and airy with a lovely riverside terrace and serves a great range of food and drinks in a welcoming, laid back, eclectic big space.

Wall 2 Wall on Riverside Walk serves mouth watering Indian food and has a breath taking interior. They serve a selection of authentic and mouth-watering tapas style dishes. They also offer meat and vegetarian curry bowls. If you are not in the mood for an Indian, a great selection of handmade pizzas is available. The venue offers one of the largest cocktail menus in Worcestershire, alongside a wide selection of beers and ciders.

Looking ahead to the winter months, the BID are involved in an exciting project with Kidderminster Town Hall who have secured grant funding towards creating a Cultural Action Zone in the town. There will be a town centre trail over winter that will include illuminated buildings and ‘selfie spots’ dotted throughout the town. Follow Kidderminster Town Hall and Kidderminster BID on social media as more detail is released in the coming weeks.

‘Kidderminster offers a warm welcome and is a fantastic place to unwind and have fun,’ said Alex. ‘It has something for all ages. I’m proud of everything that the town has to offer.’

Kiddy Proud

Join Us For Kiddy Proud

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Kidderminster Business Improvement District is holding a fun event in the town centre on Friday August 27th 2021.

There will be music, stalls and a dance performance at Kiddy Proud which is being held from 11am to 3pm.

Children will be able to enjoy free activities. Entertainment will include a stilt walker, and ponies and alpacas. The ponies will be at Weavers Wharf courtesy of Phoenix Children’s Foundation and the alpacas in the courtyard of the Town Hall. The Kidderminster Harriers will have some fun and free children’s activities including ‘beat the goalie’ and their coach will be on hand.

The West Mercia Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, the Specialist Operations Unit and Army Reserves will be on hand to meet and greet.
There will be live performances by J’s Dance Academy and Teach Me Music Academy. The dance academy will be performing at 1:30pm outside the Swan Centre. In the case of inclement weather, head to the Town Hall where the dance performance will take place indoors, along with the Greener Living Event.

On the same day The Swan Shopping Centre will be celebrating 50 years in the town centre. They will be offering free arts and crafts for children between 11am and 3pm. At 1pm Sammy Swan will be unveiling the new art work and there will be free goody bags including crafts and sweets (*while stocks last).

There will also be an opportunity to win a K’Nex Ferris Wheel worth approximately £150. The prize is courtesy of The Entertainer and other prizes will also be available on the day.

Kiddy Proud

Ros Darby, Chair of the Business Improvement District and Manager of the Swan Centre said: ‘This is a great opportunity to get local people back into the town. It’s been a tough 18 months, and this is to show that we’re here to come together and appreciate everything the town centre has got to offer.’

Kidderminster BID Manager Alex Powell said: ‘Kiddy Proud is going to be a great summer event.
‘There is a fantastic community in Kidderminster and this is an opportunity to enjoy the celebratory atmosphere with friends and family.’

The Kidderminster Greener Living Event will also be taking place on the same day from 11am to 3pm in the Town Hall. A wide range of organisations will be on hand to provide useful information and advice on all things green. Learn how to reduce the amount of waste produced through cutting down on food waste to home composting, reducing single use plastics, as well as information on reuse, repair and how to recycle more.

Free children’s craft activities will also be on offer in the Town Hall as part of the Greener Living Event.

Event Programme and Times

There will be entertainment for all on August 27th 2021 including:

  • J’s Dance Academy performance, 1:30pm outside the Swan Centre
  • Kidderminster Harriers ‘beat the goalie’ game
  • Stilt walker entertainment
  • Music with Teach Me Music Academy (live band at 1pm and PA system 11am – 3pm)
  • Alpacas in the town hall courtyard
  • Ponies at Weavers Wharf
  • Free chalk drawing 11am – 12:30 outside the Town Hall
  • Stalls including:
    • West Mercia Police Special Operations Unit and the Neighbourhood Team
    • The Army Reserves
    • Refreshments
  • Running at the same time 11am – 3pm, Wyre Forest Green Alliance have organised the ‘Greener Living Event’ taking place in the Town Hall
  • The Swan Centre will be celebrating their 50 year anniversary. There are prizes to be won at the Swan Centre and the unveiling of their new artwork with Sammy Swan at 1pm and free craft activities for children in the shopping centre.

For further information please contact:
Alex Powell
Mobile: +44 (0)7842 894198
Email: Alex@kidderminsterbid.co.uk

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