Harrogate stores set for longest-ever opening hours throughout December to attract Christmas shoppers

Lockdown ends: Harrogate shops prepare to say 'welcome back' to customers

Having been hit on and off since late March this year, shops in the town centre have got a lot of lost ground to make up.

Not only are some of the smaller independent shops planning to open past normal closing times after the second lockdown ends this week, the bigger stores are announcing longer opening hours for almost all of December.

Announcing new opening times for Victoria Shopping Centre at Station Parade in Harrogate, centre manager James White said:

"We expect the centre to be busy over the Christmas period; there is definitely an appetite for Christmas shopping and retailers are looking to adjust their hours upwards throughout December.

"Therefore, to accommodate stores that wish to stay open for longer hours, the centre will remain open until 7pm weekdays up until Thursday 24th December.

"The safety of our customers, colleagues and retailers remains our number one priority and shoppers can except the usual safety measures in place, including sanitiser stations, one-way systems and a strict cleaning regime.

"We’d also like to remind any customers visiting us to please remember to maintain safe physical distancing and to wear a face covering at all times.”

Montpellier Quarter's independent businesses are all set to reopen this week, with special attention to their Christmas windows and stocked with unique gifts. Most shops in this upscale retail quarter are planning to open on the three Sundays in December.

As for M & S's main Harrogate town centre store on Cambridge Street, Mark Robson, store manager, said there would be longer opening hours for most of December.

Mr Robson: "We will be reopening the Cambridge Street store Monday to Saturday 8am to 7pm from this Wednesday, December 2.

"The café will re-open with all other areas of the store except the Bureau de Change but it will only be open until 5pm.

"Sundays will be normal hours in accordance with current laws."

Mon to Sat we are 8am to 7pm from this Wednesday, December 2.

M&S's main town centre store in Harrogate is also introducing additional opening hours in the week up to Christmas day, including:

Monday, December 21: 7am to midnight.

Tuesday, December 22: 7am to midnight.

Wednesday, December23: 7am to midnight.

Thursday, December 24: 7am to 6pm.

It will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Lockdown ends: Harrogate shops prepare to say 'welcome back' to customers

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