You may have noticed a few special visitors in Port Talbot town centre in the past week, spreading festive cheer throughout the town – and a craving for gingerbread!
Yes, that’s right, the Port Talbot Gingerbread Christmas Trail is now on! Organised by Viva Port Talbot, the town centre’s Business Improvement District (BID), the trail features ten Gingerbread people hidden in shop windows throughout the town centre until 20th December.
Children shopping with parents or guardians can pick up a trail booklet from Aberafan Shopping Centre and set out on a Christmas quest to find the names of the Gingerbread people. When they’re finished, they can post off their answers in Santa’s special postbox (also in the shopping centre) for the chance to win a bike!
All entrants will also receive a token to exchange for a special treat in Jenkins Bakery in Station Road, and can also enter the online competition for another treat by snapping a selfie with one of the Gingerbread people!
Chair of Viva Port Talbot, Roger Williams, said the trail was a no-brainer for the BID: “The Gingerbread Trail has been a real hit on our social media already, even just a handful of days after launching it. Everyone can’t wait to take part, both adults and children! It’s sparked a real excitement for people to visit the town centre and support their locals, all whilst having Covid-safe Christmas fun.
“When the BID began operating back in April, we knew we wanted to do something special for Christmas. While we haven’t been able to hold events like we planned, we’re happy to be able to put on something a bit bigger than our previous initiatives.”
Behind the scenes of the town centre’s cafes and shopfronts, Viva Port Talbot has been working hard to supply businesses with vital support throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The BID offered businesses free reopening packages, which included hand sanitizers, social distancing floor stickers and Covid-secure checklists to help keep staff and customers safe.
A range of town centre shops have also now got Love Port Talbot reusable travel mugs on offer, courtesy of the BID, encouraging people to show their pride in the town. There’ll be even more initiatives to come over the next five years, bringing people and new businesses into the centre, as well as an exciting programme of events.
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