Cracking activities lined up in Southwark to get people shopping local this Christmas

Southwark Council is teaming up with partners Creation Trust and Peckham Space as part of its bid to get people to shop local this Christmas. 

As well as free parking in the council's car parks at weekends, there are a range of incentives for people to shop locally this month, including: 

• Specially commissioned art work in Peckham Shop Fronts
• Free gift wrapping stations in Walworth
• Specially designed bags for life given to random Walworth customers
• 'Pop up' street-based entertainers
• Christmas demonstrations such as bunting making and cookery
• Limited edition Peckham and Nunhead 'bags for life' shopping bag
• Special Christmas Markets

Cllr Fiona Colley, cabinet member for regeneration at Southwark Council said: 

"Businesses in some parts of our borough were among the worst affected by this year's riots and this is our chance to show our support, not just to them but in shops across Southwark. From art tours to local entertainers to fantastic Christmas markets, there is something for everyone and every reason to stay local to get your Christmas shopping done this year." 

Background Information

1) Through the Peckham Glass

Meet at Peckham Space for a guided tour of the commissions created for the exhibition led by artist-curator Adam Walker. The tour will give an opportunity to put your questions about the work directly to the artists themselves, and discover more about the challenges and opportunities arising from creating work to show outside the usual gallery environment. The tour will last around an hour and will be followed by drinks at The Bun House where the discussion can continue. This is a free event and all are welcome.  

Next tour: Saturday 17 December, 2pm. The tour will start at Peckham Space, 89 Peckham High Street, CCA, SE15 5RS 

The through the Peckham Glass windows started on 10 December and are there until 6 January. The aim of this activity is to get people to come down and see the art in the windows and do some shopping whilst they are there.  

2) SE17 - All Wrapped Up

Creation will staff and provide three  'wrapping stations', positioned along the Walworth Road, for Christmas shoppers who have chosen to support the Walworth Road and buy their Christmas presents locally. People can either wrap their presents themselves using the rolls of wrapping paper, tape and labels, provided, or one of Creation Trust's team of wrappers will wrap your gift for you and really take the hassle out of Christmas.  One gift wrapped per customer will be free of charge, all others will be wrapped for £1 donation to Mayor's charities. Wrapping stations will be at Cooltan Arts, M&S and TD Sports.

3) Walworth Road Bags for life

Over the December shopping period, independent local shops along the Walworth Road will be giving their local customers a little extra Christmas present. Anyone spending over £20 in one of the participating businesses will get a beautifully designed bag, featuring a vintage themed picture. Incorporated in the design are the words 'I shopped Walworth'.  While stocks last.  

4) Shop Showtime SE17 - Local Acts in Local Shops

Over the course of 17th, a local poet, a local rapper and musician, a local comedian and a local magician will perform along the Walworth Road, in shops and outside on the pavement, in impromptu concerts.  

The initiative is designed to provide shoppers with a little light relief as they buy their Christmas presents and to make Walworth Road a more pleasant place to shop, while at the same time showcasing some of the fantastic local talent.  

Performing in Showtime SE17 are:

• Natty Bo - musician and dancer, and Walworth resident from the amazing SKA and reggae bands Ska Cubano, and the Top Cats
• Nigel of Bermondsey - singer songwriter of London verses
• Viv The Spiv - Walkabout comedy act, the 1940's wheeler and dealer
• Adam Keisner - Close up magician

5) Christmas fun at Cooltan Arts, including making Christmas Bunting, enjoying a Christmas themed wine tasting and workshops in how to create herbal gifts

6) Nunhead and Peckham bags

These are while stocks last and they are free. 

Christmas Markets

Saturday 17 December - East Street Market

Meet Santa and get a present, do some Christmas shopping and enjoy plenty of festive family activities including face painting and bouncy castle.

From 11am to 3pm. Santa will be visiting between 12noon and 1pm.  

Saturday 17 December - North Cross Road Market

For great gifts and stocking fillers come along to North Cross Road's Christmas markets for handcrafted and vintage clothes and jewellery; delicious meats and cheeses, and unique art. Plus meet Santa in his grotto from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.  

Saturday 17 December -The Blue Market

Location: The Blue, Southwark Park Road, SE16

Come along to our special Christmas market, join in the festive fun and activities for all the family and pick up some great gifts for your loved ones.  

Saturday 17 December - Camberwell Green Market

Don't miss Camberwell Green's Christmas and craft market with hand crafted gifts, food and stocking fillers including Christmas toys, food, clothes and jewellery.  

Saturday 24 December - East Street Market

Christmas themed market.