Entertainment
5 November, 2026
Ready, set, shop!
WITH Christmas just seven weeks away, business owners in Atherton are preparing to open their doors until late and offer special discounts and giveaways during the annual Ladies Shopping Night.
The event will be on 14 November from 5.30pm and everyone is invited.
“It is Ladies Shopping Night, but it’s not just for the ladies,” Atherton Chamber of Commerce president Kay McDonald said.
“But it is designed for the girls to come out, the boys to stay at home and look after the kids or go and play snooker or whatever they want to do, and the girls come out to play.”
Around 20-25 businesses are getting involved and Kay says it will be a night of fun as well as shopping.
“Generally, the ladies come straight from work or meet here. They generally go for dinner somewhere and then come out to shop and make a night of it.
“A lot of the businesses offer special treats – such as nibblies, chocolates, things like that – everyone has their own way of treating their customers in a special way.
“It may be through prizes or special discounts. One business last year had a treasure hunt within the shop so it’s fun like that – it’s the whole atmosphere of the evening. It’s just wonderful to see everyone talking and laughing and getting so much joy.”
Kay said the shopping night was a great way to “ease everyone into Christmas shopping” but it was also designed to encourage locals to buy local.
“It’s hugely important and we have so many great shops in the main street – we have had five or six businesses open since last year.
“There are four dress shops, gift shops and so much to choose from that you would have to find the perfect gift.
“Our street is not big chain stores – it’s dominated by the individual small business owners offering a lot of choice.”
Businesses who wanted to get involved could do so by advertising their late night hours on their Facebook page and in other Facebook groups.
The Ladies Shopping Night starts from 5.30pm and goes until late, with shops expected to be open until at least 9.30pm.
