Gloucestershire late night shopping guide

Pick up the perfect selection of festive gifts, late night shopping in Gloucestershire.

A myriad of Gloucestershire shops and shopping centres will be opening their doors later than usual to cater for the annual Christmas present-buying dash.

Festive shoppers in Cheltenham are first off the mark, with the town centre’s shops staying open late from mid-November, while Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet will be maintaining its already extended hours throughout the festive season for those hunting for a bargain.

Plus, there are some extra special evening shopping events planned elsewhere in the county – with more information to follow as soon as details are confirmed.

Late night shopping in Cheltenham

Venue: Regent Arcade, High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1JZ
Late night opening times: Regent Arcade, situated in the heart of Cheltenham town centre, will be open until 7pm on Thursday 29 November 2012, giving the early bird Christmas shoppers an extra hour’s head start in the gift stakes. It will then be opening late until 9pm on Thursdays 6, 13 and 20 December 2012, and until 7pm from Monday 10 to Friday 14 December 2012, excluding the Thursday. Locals leaving their shopping sprees until the last minute also need not fret, as the popular arcade will also be opening until 8pm from Monday 17 to Friday 21 December 2012, excluding the Thursday. Organisers say that individual store opening times may vary, so please check with them in advance if there’s a specific store you’d like to visit.
What to expect: From quirky gifts and gadgets to fragrances, clothes and jewellery, there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets in Regent Arcade. Oil & Vinegar is perfect for foodie friends and family, offering an array of high-quality ingredients from all over the world; while KIWI, The Present People and Sugar Loaf are all brimming with modern, quirky gifts for little and big kids alike. You can treat your loved one to something special from jewellers including Regent Goldsmith and Ernest Jones; some unusual pieces inspired by nature in Pia; or even crystal jewellery from Crystal Chain. Plus, you’ll find popular high street stores including The Fragrance Shop, TK Maxx and BHS and many more offering great prices.
SoGlos loves: Santa’s little helpers will love Regent Arcade’s candy land-themed Christmas grotto this year, which opens from Saturday 24 November to Monday 24 December 2012. With enough candy to make Willy Wonka proud, Santa’s grotto will be filled with giant cupcakes, sticks of rock and gingerbread houses, and what’s more, there will even be a lifelike, sleeping polar bear. Tickets to the grotto cost £3.50 per child, including a sit on Santa’s knee and early Christmas present, or for an additional £4, they can even have their photo taken with the jolly man himself.
For more info: Call (01242) 521345, join Regent Arcade on Facebook at facebook.com/RegentArcade and Twitter at @RegentArcade, or visit regentarcade.co.uk directly.

Late night Christmas shopping in Cheltenham town centre starts on Thursday 6 December 2012, when a majority of the town centre’s shops will open with extended trading hours – usually until 8 pm – every Thursday until Christmas.

What’s more, most retailers in the town centre will also be open for late night shopping from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 December 2012, with organisers advising shoppers to check exact times with your favourite stores.

While Beechwood Shopping Centre in Cheltenham is expected to be open until 8pm on Thursdays 6, 13 and 20 December 2012.

Late night shopping in the Cotswolds

Chipping Campden will be hosting the annual Spirit of Christmas evening on Friday 7 December 2012, with street stalls and most shops staying open until 8pm.

While Bourton-on-the-Water will play host to its own annual festive celebration, the Victorian Christmas Evening also on Friday 7 December 2012, with most of the village’s shops staying open until 9pm.

Late night shopping in Gloucester

Late night shopping in Gloucester city centre is expected to start on Thursday 6 December 2012, when, as always, a majority of the town centre’s shops will stay open until 8pm every Thursday until Christmas.

From Thursday 29 November to Saturday 23 December 2012 Kings Walk shopping centre will be operating under its normal trading hours of Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm and Sundays from 10am to 5pm, except when it opens for late night shopping until 8pm on Thursday 6 and Wednesday 12, and from Monday 17 to Friday 21 December 2012.

It will also be opening slightly later, from 11am on Sunday 23 December 2012 and on Boxing Day, when it will also close earlier at 5pm.

Kings Walk will be closed on Christmas Day and it will be business as usual from Thursday 27 December 2012 until New Year’s Day, when it will open from 10am to 5pm only.

Meanwhile, from Thursday 29 November to Sunday 23 December 2012, Eastgate Shopping Centre will operate under its normal trading hours of Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm and Sundays from 10.30am to 4.30pm, except when it opens for late night shopping until 8pm on Thursdays 6 and 13, and from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 December 2012.

It will be closing earlier on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at 5pm and will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

On Boxing Day, Eastgate Shopping Centre will be open from 10.30am to 4.30pm only.

And from Thursday 29 November to Sunday 23 December 2012, the popular Gloucester Quays outlet centre will be operating under its normal trading hours of Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm; Saturdays from 10am to 7pm; and Sundays from 10am to 5pm.

It will be closing earlier at 6pm on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and will not be open on Christmas Day.

© SoGlos

Tuesday 19 March 2013