George Osborne MP visited Wilmslow this afternoon to hear more about the Winter Wander Round, the gingerbread hunt which has been organised by some of the town's independent businesses.
Jane Williams, of Hawthorns Deli, said "He seemed very enthusiastic about the idea and was very keen to hear all about how we have tried to involve not just local businesses but the community too, with schools, churches and local organisations taking part. He enjoyed posing for photographs with our gingerbread man mascot and with local children who have taken part in the treasure hunt."
On the way up Grove Street the Chancellor stopped to talk to Steve at his flower stall and asked where his gingerbread man was. Unfortunately the gingerbread man had been blown away in the storm last Thursday when Steve's stall nearly took off! He then spent some time talking to Kate Johnson at Willow Tree Bears who is one of the organisers of the event and one of the team of helpers, Nastassia Burton from Stowe Family Law.
Jane added "We appreciate the time that Mr Osborne took out of his very busy schedule to come and see how a small business initiative like this is trying to promote shopping locally and to hopefully put some excitement into spending time in Wilmslow town centre over the Christmas shopping period."
George Osborne commented "I wanted to get behind this brilliant idea by Jane Williams and others, and the whole town should congratulate them. It has done a huge amount to promote local small businesses and bring families to Wilmslow to do their Christmas shopping. It's all part of our efforts to help the high street."
Claire Holliday, whose daughter Eva met with George Osborne today, commented "Our whole family has thoroughly enjoyed the Wilmslow Winter wander Round. We have spent two enjoyable Saturdays together as a family searching for gingerbread men and collecting goodies! What a fabulous idea! I have discovered shops I walk past every day and have never been in, bought lots of things I would usually have travelled to buy and met some very friendly shop keepers! We ate and drank ourselves round wilmslow too! It has really encouraged me to think local before travelling to buy things. Thank you so much to all the shop keepers for their participation and friendliness."
The treasure hunt finishes at 5pm tomorrow (Saturday 14th December) and the raffle draw will take place on Monday 16th December (all winners will be notified by Friday 20th December). The final event will be a prize giving party hosted by Monkey Puzzle Nursery on Hawthorn Lane on Sunday 22nd December from 10.30am until 12 noon.
Photo: Kate Johnson, Jane Williams, George Osborne and Nastassia Burton.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Unfortunately, when the Residents of Wilmslow tried to get him to come and talk to them about the plans to build on the Green Belt, they were told that he was too busy.
It was a great success, attracting hundreds more shoppers into Wilmslow. Friends commented on how friendly shop assistants were and how surprised they were at the wide variety of products on display.
George Osborne has his uses!