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It has been created to inspire community engagement through fun and safe activities, with a positive emphasis on supporting local businesses on the lead up to Christmas.

Speaking at its recent launch the Lord Mayor said: “ “It is essential for everyone’s wellbeing, especially our children’s, that we make this an extra special community focused Christmas, by celebrating it in unique and safe ways that will continue to bring the magic of Christmas to

everyone. As a strong borough community we must focus all our efforts into support those who need our help most at this time of year, particularly our local businesses”.

Embracing community spirit and keeping hope alive for local businesses is the focus of this year’s Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Christmas Campaign

Supporting borough businesses by shopping local and on-line for Christmas is a major part of Council’s campaign, urging people to ‘think local first’ to help keep the ‘lights’ on for many businesses at this crucial time of year. To help promote this a new on-line platform is being promoted called ‘Our Borough On-line’, to encourage local spending with borough retailers online and in store. The website

www.lightupourborough.com profiles online local retailers, home delivery services, and personal and quiet shopping times for more vulnerable customers.

One of the highlights of the campaign will be a Virtual Light Switch-on, ‘lighting up’ the city and town centre Christmas Trees on Saturday, November 28, at 7.00pm.

This event will be live streamed on Facebook, YouTube and online, with a very special message from Santa live from the North Pole providing Christmas cheer for all the family. Another highlight includes bespoke magical and interactive festive walking trails in Banbridge, Dromore, Lurgan and Portadown. Visitors to each town will follow a characterful treasure trail, solving rhyming riddles in a video format, on their

smartphone, encouraging all generations to engage with the participating businesses’ sparkling Christmas window displays; all whilst learning new Elf skills as they go!

A supporting map will feature all of the participating businesses and include a useful ‘Shop Local’ directory for visitors, along with action-packed Christmas Elf and Santa treasure trails, and, in a change from the normal Georgian weekend festivities, a series of Georgian

themed activities are planned over four consecutive Saturdays. For further information log on to www.lightupourborough.com

ABC Council gets set to light up the Borough for Christmas