Singers from Young Notes and Young Talent Academy perform on stage during a special Christmas lights switch-on event at Palace Gardens Shopping Centre last month (credit Alistair Underwood)

Jo Johnson from Love Your Doorstep on ways to support the local community this festive season

The countdown to Christmas is a marvellous affair in Enfield.

The Enfield Parade of Light kicked off the festivities on Sunday with more than 20 community groups coming together to form a parade along a route around Enfield Town, culminating with the Christmas tree light switch-on and fireworks. Now it’s official – Christmas is on its way!

This Saturday 7^th December is ‘Small Business Saturday’. Customers are urged to go out and support all types of small businesses. It doesn’t have to be a business with premises – you can support online businesses too. This is obviously something we encourage all year-round here at Love Your Doorstep, but it’s a great excuse to shout about those small businesses and give them a lovely boost in the run-up to Christmas. We like to call it the ‘shop local challenge’ and love to read about people’s experiences of achieving their whole Christmas shopping via Enfield businesses.

When you choose to spend your money locally you are investing in the economy of your community. This is also helped by local businesses choosing to use local suppliers of products and services, along with being able to offer employment opportunities. It all contributes to making our community sustainable and economically viable.

It’s not just the gifts that can be sourced via our directory. You can also purchase your food from one of our local suppliers, whether it’s meat from SJ Smith Butchers, Christmas hampers from Holtwhites or seasonal produce from Oakwood Delicatessen. We also have great hair and beauty people to help get you ready for the party season, plus there are local gift-makers that run online shops from their own homes!

As always, our wonderful local theatres have some great shows on offer over the festive period. Chickenshed are bringing their adaptation of Snow White to the stage, as well as their Christmas Tales for younger audiences, which take place at both the Dugdale and Chickenshed theatres. The traditional panto at Millfield Theatre this year will be Mother Goose.

Have a wonderful December – you know where we are for all your questions during the festive season!

For more information about Love Your Doorstep:
Email [email protected]
Twitter @Loveurdoorstep
Visit loveyourdoorstep.co.uk

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