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holiday@torbay.gov.uk
Tel: 01803 211 211

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Tis The Season to BID Jolly

The English Riviera is preparing to host a series of live music and entertainment events across the Bay over the Christmas period. Christmas Riviera Live promises to add a little extra magic to the Christmas shopping experience and create a truly special atmosphere for all the family.

This year, Christmas Riviera Live will be showcasing the council's proposal for the introduction of the Business Improvement District model and how businesses in partnership with the council can attract more people into our region and especially our town centres.

As part of the Business Improvement District proposal, Torbay Development Agency is working with a partnership board to explore what BID's might achieve in Torbay. Barry Buxton chair of the partnership board and Torquay Chamber of Trade said, "Christmas is a critical time of the year for many businesses and while a BID can do much more in response to businesses needs, we wanted to give people an indication of the type of area that could be supported if BIDs were set up in Torbay."

An initialconsultation is already underway to establish what businesses want to see changed in their trading areaandto helpraiseawareness of the type of issues that a BID proposal can address. As part of this consultation, thepartners have recommendedsupporting the development of Christmas Riviera Live across the Bay.

Christmas Riviera Live events will take place in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, as well as St. Marychurch. The diverse musical selection of entertainment includes barbershop, bell ringing, opera, swing and folk, all with a Christmas theme. Other entertainment includes stilt walkers, face painters, puppet shows and jugglers. There will even be a giant Gliding Santa traveling around the Bay's towns, handing out seasonal cheer in abundance.

Aviva Pearson, Director of Tourism said: "We had a fantastic response to Riviera Live in the summer, so it is exciting that we have been given the opportunity to programme some Christmas events as well. The whole idea is to create a warm seasonal shopping atmosphere and encourage people to take a break from the hustle and bustle to enjoy some amazing entertainment. So please come along and support local businesses as well as local talent."

There will be Face painting and a special seasonal Punch and Judy show this Saturday (1 December) to coincide with Torquay Carnival, while the entertainment extends across the Bay on Friday 7 December and Saturday 8 December, with events taking place in all three English Riviera towns. Donna Marie will again be singing the seasonal and opera classics in Paignton on Friday afternoon (7 December), while Zac will be crooning in Paignton on the Saturday.

Also on Saturday (8 December), youngsters will love the face painting, Punch and Judy show and the juggler in Brixham to coincide with their carnival celebrations. For something truly unique, look out for the giant Gliding Santa, handing out seasonal cheer in abundance in Torquay on Saturday morning and in Paignton on Saturday afternoon.

The Santa Run takes place on Sunday 9 December in Torquay, and during the afternoon, there will be a host of entertainment taking place to add a soundtrack to your Christmas shopping. Opera singer Donna Marie will be joined by Rat Pack crooner Zac, while there will also be a juggler on hand as well as a Santa on stilts!

For a full line up of Christmas Riviera Live events, please pick up an events guide from Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Tourist Information Centres or visit the events section of the website at www.englishriviera.co.uk

For more information and photographs, please contact:

Matt Newbury
PR & Marketing
English Riviera Tourist Board
01803-296296
Matthew.Newbury@torbay.gov.uk