The Harpur Centre is bringing festive magic to Bedford once again for 2020. The Centre has arranging an exciting line-up to spread Christmas cheer throughout the shopping season.

The Harpur Centre's Santa may not be able to meet children in his grotto this year, but is taking  "live video calls” from the North Pole.

Whilst Santa chats with children, his elves record the full video conversation, add background music and will email you the finished film so you can post on to your social media platforms and share with family and friends. To book your slot with Santa, simply call 07973 143406.

Until Thursday 17th December, The Harpur Centre is also inviting shoppers to visit The Wishing Tree Shop via the Horne Lane entrance to donate a gift for an underprivileged child in Bedfordshire. All you need to do is buy a present for a child or teenager and hand it to the wonderful volunteers from Early Childhood Partnerships who will be manning The Wishing Tree Shop, next door to Supercuts, each day during the campaign. 

Secretly, Santa Claus popped down to Bedford recently and visited The Harpur Centre to do some shopping. The Centre team managed to film him during his visit and the videos are being posted until Christmas on social media.

Get creative at home by visiting the Centre’s website to download festive activity packs filled with magical crafts, recipes, and colouring sheets all completely free. Once you have finished your masterpiece, send a photo to the Centre on social media to win a fantastic prize and treat yourself this Christmas.

Samantha Laycock, Centre Manager at Harpur Centre, commented: “The Centre is delighted that we can once again hold fantastic entertainment at the Centre to help families feel festive, whilst also remaining safe from COVID-19. From our wonderful Wishing Tree, which has been a lifeline for underprivileged families in the area for the last few years, to live video calls with Santa, we have something for everyone this year and we hope we can put a smile on the faces of the people of Bedford.

 “We would also like to say a huge thank you to our partners and volunteers from Early Childhood Partnerships, and Heart Radio for helping us to launch The Wishing Tree Shop. It’s been a challenging year for everybody, and so many families locally rely on the campaign, so this year is more important than ever."

For more information on upcoming events and Christmas Opening Hours, visit the website: www.harpurcentre.co.uk/offerswhats-on, or visit www.facebook.co.uk/harpurshoppingcentre, follow us on Twitter @HarpurCentre and follow us on Instagram @Harpur_Centre.

News Flash 

Spend a penny in style

The Harpur Centre basement loos have won a Platinum Award in the prestigious Loo of the Year Awards. And the team responsible have been awarded the Washroom Cleaner of the Year prize.

"Our team have worked tirelessly to ensure that hygiene has remained an utmost priority, not just this year, but always. So amidst a global pandemic, it is a huge honour to have won awards for the best ‘away from home’ washrooms in the UK.

"The Loo of the Year awards have been identifying the best washroom in Britain since 1987 and are recognised as standard setters for all those who provide facilities for staff, customers and visitors. Each entry was assessed against 1010 judging criteria – including fixtures, fittings, overall cleanliness and management, so we are thrilled to have all of our hard work recognised.

"Thousands of toilets were judged this year and to come out with two awards, including a platinum award, is an incredible achievement and we want to say a huge thank you to our centre teams, in particular our cleaning team, for your dedication not just this year, but always."