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Down Your Street – The Lion Yard Shopping Centre

Celebrating its 50th birthday, Lion Yard shopping centre is spreading festive cheer with a free Christmas grotto and Las Vegas-style decorations. Louise Cummings gets in the seasonal spirit

Named after the Lion Hotel, this famously housed an iconic three-tonne red lion statue for 25 years. Today it boasts an impressive array of High Street favourites and independent stores. To mark its 50th birthday and celebrate Christmas, the centre will be adorned with Las Vegas-style festive decorations, host a shopper casino (December 5 to 7) and welcome little ones to the North Pole outpost Christmas Grotto. Running Sunday, November 16 and then on selected December dates, the grotto will be free to enter and each child will receive a gift (visit thelionyard.co.uk for dates).

Ross Hargrove, Centre Manager of Lion Yard, says: “We are really excited for Christmas this year. With it being our 50th anniversary combined with our fantastic event line-up, the return of our grotto and some really exciting new brands, it promises to be a great festive season.” So, grab your tote and embark on a Christmas shopping extravaganza, before recharging your batteries with a Shake Shack burger or Wing Stop chicken tenders on Petty Cury…”

Vision Express

From opening its first store in Gateshead over 30 years ago, Vision Express has expanded to 550 stores across the UK and Ireland. Customers are offered a personalised service through their eyecare journey, with a range of glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, eye care products and accessories available in-store. Visit visionexpress.com

Hotel Chocolat

One of our favourite haunts, Hotel Chocolat is renowned for its exquisite selection of luxurious boxed chocolates and cacao-infused alcohol gifts. The Lion Yard branch has a lovely café with seating so you can nurse a flat white while perusing the advent calendars, Christmas stocking fillers and stunning chocolate wreaths. Visit hotelchocolat.com

Thomas Sabo

The home of innovative, trend-led jewellery, Thomas Sabo features elegantly handcrafted and expressive designs for him and her. Made from 925 sterling silver, each piece is created with precision, craftsmanship and extraordinary attention to detail. Hero collections include the iconic Charm Club, THOMAS SABO Jewellery and Watches Collection and the bold, unisex Rebel at Heart range. Visit thomassabo.com

Flying Tiger

Bold and adventurous, sustainable and diversity-positive, this Danish brand believes in ‘living life to the full’ and its vibrant product line reflects this. Meander through the store’s winding aisles to find modern, seasonal products and contemporary, colourful everyday essentials, from arts and crafts to stationery, quirky Christmas baubles to gingerbread houses. Visit flyingtiger.com

Typo

Encouraging customers to do good and express their individuality, Typo boasts the merch to help ‘vibe check your entire life’, from homeware to tech gear, gifts to craft supplies, desk essentials to boredom busters. Pop in to discover unexpected products and experiences that bring joy to everyday life. Visit cottonon.com/UK/typo-home/

Smiggle

Did you know that a ‘Smiggle’ is where a smile meets a giggle? Certainly, this colourful store, which specialises in backpacks, drink bottles, keyrings and fun gifts, is the source of plenty of beaming grins! The ultimate destination for school, birthday and leisure essentials, it’s a firm favourite with children everywhere. Visit smiggle.co.uk

New Look

Looking for a glitzy sequinned LBD for the office Christmas party or maybe some cute candy stripe pyjamas to snuggle in post-Boxing Day buffet? You’ll find plenty of options at this feel-good fashion store which specialises in on-trend, affordable clothing. Set over two floors, it sells women’s and children’s attire, alongside accessories, lingerie and footwear. Visit newlook.com

Ann Summers

Opening its first store in London’s Marble Arch in 1972, Ann Summers embarked on a mission to put women’s needs first and ‘empower customers in the bedroom’. It has since grown to become a multi-channel retailer, with the Cambridge store offering playful lingerie and nightwear, costumes, novelty accessories, adult toys, games and gifts. Visit annsummers.com

Ernest Jones

Amongst the UK’s leading diamond and watch specialists, Ernest Jones stocks a breathtaking collection of exquisite diamonds, including engagement and eternity rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. There’s also fashion jewellery such as cocktail rings and vintage-style pieces alongside the exclusive Leo Diamond, with its unique, patented precision cut, which produces a superior brilliance and sparkle. Visit ernestjones.co.uk

Ellis Brigham

Whether you’re hitting the slopes or hiking the Three Peaks, Ellis Brigham can kit you out for your next adventure. Though the business dates back to 1933 (beginning as a small shop making and selling boots), the Cambridge store opened in 2015, offering a comprehensive range of quality brands for outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, running and skiing for men, women and kids. Visit ellis-brigham.com

Holland & Barrett

Welcome to one of the world’s leading health and wellness retailers supplying customers with a wealth of vitamins, minerals, health supplements, specialist foods and ethical natural beauty products. With more than 145 years of experience in the industry, Holland & Barrett is spreading its optimum health message far and wide. Visit hollandandbarrett.com

Santa's Grotto in Lion Yard and a bath bomb from Lush

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