The wait is finally over – Leighton’s independent shops are now open for business seven days a week thanks to the determination of the town’s dedicated shopkeepers.
Owners have united in Leighton High Street with a joint ambition to encourage Christmas shopping in the town and tell customers they can buy their Christmas gifts without having to make their way to Milton Keynes.
For the first time ever, Leighton Buzzard town centre will be open for business every day in December up until Christmas, with very few independent shops not offering customers seven days a week Christmas shopping.
Initially Leighton-Linslade Town Council led the organisation of a ‘Winter Sundays’ initiative under the town centre regeneration and enhancement project, but when that failed to go ahead an independent retailer took charge.
Jane McGlinchey, who owns Amethyst on the High Street, has been on a mission to unite the town’s shopkeepers and has used her passion and determination to bring back Christmas shoppers to the area by convincing owners to support one another.
Jane said: “Leighton Buzzard has a surprising number of interesting little shops, we’d recommend you go exploring to find out for yourself.
“Don’t just stay on the main part of the High Street – wander into one of the many little mews or walk right to the top and the bottom end of the town, you’ll come across lots of little gems that make Leighton Buzzard a great place to shop.
“Sometimes when you go gift shopping in large department stores, you just can’t find that something ‘a little bit different’, that elusive perfectly suited gift.
“The wealth of independent shops in Leighton Buzzard offer customers the additional choice of unique, unusual and interesting products.
“As well as offering customers the personal service, and products out of the ordinary, shops in Leighton Buzzard are now offering seven days a week shopping for Christmas.
“The town is now open every day until Christmas giving shoppers as much opportunity as possible to come shopping in Leighton Buzzard.
“For those who are filled with horror at facing the weekend chaos of Christmas shopping and parking in Milton Keynes, try Leighton Buzzard.
“The town is open every day during December until Christmas, seven day a week shopping, with free parking on a Sunday, an extra Sunday market, and lots of lovely cafes that offer tea and cake or a full lunch to keep you going all day.”