Despite the hottest weather for seven years and a heatwave warning across the South West, one store in Truro is putting out its stall early for Christmas.

The shop, which is leased by Truro Cathedral, will sell festive decorations, advent calendars and all manner of Christmas goodies.

 

Happy Christmas! That's what Truro Cathedral bosses hope their new shop will bring them - but isn't it a bit early? pic.twitter.com/viNcygNmKp

— BBC Radio Cornwall (@BBCCornwall) July 19, 2013

 

It was opened by the cathedral's dean, the Very Reverend Roger Bush, who said it was "a bit odd" but they had found that, "during the summer months when we get more visitors, people want to buy good quality Christmas products"

Truro Cathedral Shop Manager,  James Barker, said, “The directors of the limited company that runs the shop on behalf of the cathedral felt there was a retail opportunity to develop our presence on the ‘High St’. We have been successfully running a summer Christmas shop in the cathedral for five years now, and we want to see if the idea will work outside.”

Initially the retail property, which is in King St, will stock a range of Christmas products including Nativity Sets, Advent Calendars, Christmas Cards and decorations. 

He also said,  “We have really been surprised at how well the Christmas Shop works. People seem to appreciate the quality of the traditional range of items we hold; our nativity sets always sell well. We are going to give it a go and see what happens.”

The cathedral hopes that if the shop is successful, then after Christmas the focus will switch to stocking Easter and Fairtrade  items.

The Dean of Truro, The Very Reverend Roger Bush, said, “Some people will find this a difficult decision to understand. But the cathedral has to generate profits from its commercial arm (the shop and the restaurant) in order to help finance our core activities of worship, education and outreach as well as keeping this beautiful building repaired and open.

"The positive way in which the Christmas Shop in the cathedral has been received in the past five years leads us to believe there is a genuine demand for these quality religious products.”

"There is nothing about our Christmas shop that is exploitative in any way and our products speak directly to our Christian faith."

He added: “In many ways it’s a vote of confidence in the ‘High St’, especially after all the economic doom and gloom we’re going through. I think we can attract more shoppers into the city Nativity set from Christmas Shopcentre, which will be good for all retailers.”

Neil Scott, BID Manager, Totally Truro, who said, “The opening of the Cathedral Shop in King Street is an exciting and innovative venture and a great way to bring a uniquely Truro and Cornish offer to a broader audience. It may appear to be a bizarre decision to open a Christmas shop on one of the hottest days of the year, but I understand that some of the best trading months for the Cathedral’s Christmas gift ranges are during July and August. I’m sure that the new venture will prove to be a great addition to one of the busiest streets in Truro.”

The shop is open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm.