Located in the main mall of the centre, the popular Westwood Cross Christmas Market will return from Saturday 16th November, offering a selection of festive products from small, independently run businesses. Shoppers who are looking for the perfect gifts this Christmas are invited to explore the range of unique personalised gifts, toys, and trinkets, plus sample seasonal produce and handmade food items. The stallholders include:

• Bootie Boutique: Stocking a selection of ladies’ fashion and accessories, plus a range of ladies, men’s, and children’s footwear. The stall also carries baby goods, such as baby grows, clothing sets and footwear.
• Cookieman: Offering a tasty selection of freshly baked dessert cookies in some imaginative flavours, including Banana Bread, Chocolate Crisps, and Cinnamon Sugar.
• Eye4Image: A must-visit for dog-lovers, where guests can purchase gift vouchers to have their furry friends immortalised with a touching photograph by pet photographer Mike Avery.
• Kidz Closet: A Kent-based boutique that offers a great range of children’s clothing and a personalisation service for children and babies aged 0-14 years. The stall will also be carrying a selection of festive homewares and accessories, as well as its popular Christmas Eve boxes.
• Nomad Jewellery: Features high quality 925 silver and stainless-steel jewellery, as well as a collection of semi-precious gems.
• 4 Keeps Jewellery: Offering unique welded ‘permanent’ jewellery, including bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and chains. Shoppers can select designs and engravings for a personal touch, with pieces welded to wear for a lifetime.

The Westwood Cross Christmas Market will be located in the Main Mall, stretching from H Samuel to Boots and continuing along the harbour wall opposite Hotel Chocolat. The market stalls will be trading from Saturday 16th November to Tuesday 24th December. Please note individual stall opening times may vary. What’s more, families are invited to meet Mr. Claus himself as Santa’s Grotto returns to Westwood Cross. Open from Friday 29th November, until Christmas Eve, adults and children on the ‘nice’ list can meet Santa and receive an age-appropriate gift. Tickets are priced from £6.50 each, with all adults accompanying a paid child entering for free*. Santa’s Grotto will be in the Sundial area of the shopping centre and welcomes walk-ups; however, it’s recommended that bookings are made online in advance as this magical experience is expected to be popular. In the spirit of giving, Westwood Cross is partnering with The Salvation Army and 1st St Lawrence Scout Group to raise vital funds for those in need this Christmas. Guests can pay a visit to the centre’s Wishing Well and toss in a coin to donate. Additionally, several donation points for The Salvation Army will be available on-site, where guests can donate pre-loved clothing, footwear, and cold-weather items that will be appreciated by those in need this winter. Fran Donovan, Centre Director at Westwood Cross, said, “Christmas is the most magical time of the year at Westwood Cross, with our festive decorations including our giant teddy bear, reindeer, walk-through bauble and new giant feature tree outside Hollywood Bowl. “Alongside some of the best big-name brands in retail and leisure, we have a great selection of independent vendors at our annual Christmas Market, meaning guests can confidently find everything on their Christmas shopping lists. “Santa’s Grotto is set to be a popular local attraction, so we encourage guests to book early to guarantee their visits. We look forward to creating some truly memorable moments for all our guests this festive season.” For more information, to book the grotto, or to plan your visit please visit https://westwoodx.co.uk/ *Tickets for Santas Grotto are priced at:

• Child: £6.50 per child + £1 booking fee.
• Adults: Free with a fully paid child ticket (no gift).
• Adults without a child: £6.50 + £1 booking fee (including gift)