São Brás de Alportel has announced its programme of events for the festive season, with special initiatives to encourage residents to do their Christmas shopping locally and support traditional commerce.
Santa will also be arriving in the town tomorrow (December 15) and is inviting the children to join him at a party at the local Cine-Teatro from 3pm.
In a statement to the press, the municipality said that the difficult economic situation the country is being affected by has not undermined the câmara’s determination to help local businesses at this time of celebration.
Activities include a Shop Window Competition, where São Brás business owners are invited to ‘dress up’ their shop windows with Christmas decorations. Shoppers purchasing items worth a minimum of €35 at participating stores are then given a coupon to vote for the best decorated shop window and will be in with a chance to win a Christmas hamper filled with goodies. Coupons have to be handed in at the municipal gallery by tomorrow (December 15). The draw will be made in the morning of December 22 at the São Brás municipal market.
Another initiative is the Christmas Challenge (Passatempo de Natal) running until December 24. Participating stores invite residents to shop locally for a chance to win a weekend break for two. Again, shoppers have to spend a minimum of €35 but at three different stores and fill in a form to be eligible for the competition. The winner will be announced in the morning of December 29 at the municipal market.
During this festive season, more than 30 shops will also be participating in the ‘Red Night for Local Commerce’ initiative. It means they will be open until later in the evenings with special discounts for clients of up to 50%.
This Sunday (December 16), an artisans market at the Jardim Carrera Viegas, from 10am to 2pm, is expected to provide a great opportunity to purchase that special Christmas gift made in the Algarve!
