Following Government confirmation of shops in Cornwall reopening this Wednesday (December 2), Truro's late night shopping will be going ahead for the lead-up to Christmas.

Beginning on Wednesday December 2 and running weekly up until Christmas Eve, the city centre Christmas lights will be illuminating Truro and the main shopping streets will be open late and closed to traffic until 9pm to give space to shop, eat and drink.

Truro BID Manager Alun Jones said: “You can enjoy shopping under Truro’s Christmas Lights this year from December 2, to coincide with the shops being reopen following the end of the second lockdown. "There will be space for people to shop and we urge everyone to maintain their social distance and keep to the left in the direction that they are walking in whilst in Truro. Since it’s the first day that shops can reopen, the full entertainment programme for late night shopping will start on December 9.

"Whilst Christmas shopping will be a bit different this year, we’re delighted that Cornwall’s residents will be able support Truro’s shops and eateries as well as enjoy the additional Christmas lights. These include the extra new angel Christmas lights which have been possible thanks to the kind donation from our Town Crier, Lionel Knight.”

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From December 9 there will be street entertainment and music taking place for late night shopping evenings, including walkabout performances from Swamp Circus dressed up as winter festive characters and performances from local brass bands and dance groups.

To add to the atmosphere, Truro BID will be projecting large illuminated visuals for the third year in a row on the TUI building and on the Arts Café in River Street. The content for the projectors this year includes an extract from Truro’s first Virtual Christmas Lights Switch-on film streamed on November 18 and the display of children’s artwork of elephants. There will also be content from local dance groups Hall for Cornwall Youth Dance Company (juniors and seniors), Jason Thomas Performing Arts Foundation Course, All Boys Dance and Cornwall Dance School. The crafty elephant artwork has been organised by Salt Projects Ltd and funded by Truro BID, Crafts Council, RIO (Real Ideas Organisation), and Together For Families - Cornwall Council, along with support from Royal Cornwall Museum.

As with throughout the year, shoppers can take advantage of free parking in Cornwall Council’s long stay car parks from 4pm and short stay car parks from 5pm.

The farmers market will be opening late on Lemon Quay from December 2. Boscawen Street will feature entertainment only (mainly from December 9) rather than the usual annual Truro Christmas Street Markets to give more space to shop.

On Saturdays through to Christmas there will also be some street entertainment, organised by Truro BID and the roads will be traffic-free from 9am until 5pm.