‘Spirits were high and customers were happy’
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AS the wintry weather reached Caithness over the weekend there was an avalanche of support for Thurso Fun Day.
Traders in the town have reported a successful start to festive business despite the cold weather closing in.
Shoppers picked up some bargains ahead of the Christmas rush with Santa and other entertainment also livening up the town centre on Saturday.
Manageress of the Thurso branches of McAllans clothes shops, Shona Wood, said they had a fantastic day.
"Spirits were high and customers were happy," she said. "It was surprisingly busy all day.
"We had a really good day, but we always do. We thought the weather might change that but no, it was great."
As well as a "buy one get one half price" offer on much of the stock the staff were also offering traditional Christmas hospitality in the form of mulled wine and mince pies.
Mrs Wood added that the representatives from local radio station Caithness FM were fantastic and had made the day complete.
"Once they switch on the music fun day comes alive," she said.
"And we can’t forget Santa’s grotto and all the efforts of the Thurso Town Improvements Association. It’s all very much appreciated."
Laura Freeman, owner of Eye Candy, in Swanson Street, noticed an increase in the number of customers but she said that may have been down to a relocation of her shop from this time last year.
"We had a good day," said Mrs Freeman. "It was slightly busier than last year. I think it went well considering the weather.
"We had a good turnout and good support from the locals so we’re very pleased."
Similarly, Katie Gunn, of Temptations, in Rotterdam Street, was in the thick of festive fun as her gift and toy shop put on some special offers.
"We were busy, it was a good day," she said. "Caithness FM were really good and created a really festive atmosphere."
For the third year running the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership held an open day in the Dounreay.com building with representatives from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd and Highlands and Islands Enterprise on hand to talk to the public.
Leaflets and posters also detailed the projects and aspirations of the partnership.
CNSRP programme manager Eann Sinclair said that he had not heard a single negative comment all day.
"I think when people are out on fun day they are in that positive frame of mind," he said.
"It was a pretty good mixture of people for the public to talk to and it was a good mix of people that came in for a chat. From where we were standing we could see most of the precinct and at times it looked pretty miserable, but there was always a pretty steady crowd going past."
Caithness Chamber of Commerce was also on hand to give out the new shopping loyalty cards.
Chief executive Trudy Morris was unavailable to comment on the uptake of the new scheme but Mr Sinclair said the "Spend it Here" initiative seemed to be doing a "roaring trade" .
"I spoke to Nicola Cameron, the local town centre development officer, and she was trying to tot up how many people they had signed up and she thought it was over 50 just in the Dounreay.com office alone," he said.
"And I reckon that they had several hundred people sign up already."
Doreen Macleod, chairwoman of Thurso Town Improvements Association, which backed the traders’ fun day, said it was "brilliant" despite the terrible weather.
"Santa’s grotto, set up in Caithness Horizons, had the same amount of people if not more than last year at it," said Mrs Macleod. "We had well over 150 kids. Santa was really well supported."
More children during the week have also had a chance to spend some time with Father Christmas as schools visited the grotto.
A train ride that had been brought in for the day was also enjoyed by Thurso youngsters despite what Mrs Macleod said were "blustery conditions".
The Christmas lights switch-on and subsequent concert in St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Church were both equally well supported on the Friday night.
However, Mrs Macleod warned that in order for fun day to continue to be supported by the TTIA, people need to be willing to help out in future.
"The support is definitely there," she said. "But we could do with more volunteers as it would be a great shame to lose the grotto."
