Late night shopping returns to Lanark

Instead of it being last November’s pre-Christmas extension of opening hours, this is to be a Mid-Summer’s Night event, being held on the evening of June 21.

The results of the first event were worthwhile enough to try the repeat at a time when the night will be longer and lighter and - hopefully! - warmer.

After the November event, in which around 60 Lanark businesses took part, there were encouraging reports of folk who usually miss the independent shop opening hours because they work outside the town and don’t return home until after 5pm taking advantage of traders staying open until 9pm and beyond.

“As with the November event, the Group is hoping to encourage people to come out late and tour the shops by staging street entertainments throughout the evening.

Said a Group spokesman: “In order for the night to succeed, we need as many shops as possible taking part. At our next meeting we’ll share the plans so far and see what other ideas members may have to make the night go off with a bang.

“ This is a Lanark Business Group event so is open to all businesses in the town.”