Shopping night fun

That's the message from traders after Friday evening's success. And next year's event is expected to be even better.

Last year's event, where hundreds of shoppers flocked to the town centre to take advantage of a few extra hours of Christmas shopping in a more relaxed environment, was described as Uckfield's most successful ever. But Ian Blackaller, of the Chamber of Commerce, said that this year's was even better.

The bottom half of the High Street from the NatWest Bank to Stead and Simpson had been closed to traffic, allowing for greater pedestrian movement.

Mr Blackaller said: 'The street closure was certainly best thing the chamber has ever done. There was people everywhere.

'I talked to Adrian Corbin (Chamber of Commerce president and delicatessen owner) yesterday and he said his shop had never been so full during late night shopping.'

Mr Blackaller said that the chamber would be looking to close the High Street from the Picture House next year rather than from the NatWest Bank.

During last year's late-night shopping traders donated 1,600 to be added to the 1 put on Council Tax for the town's Christmas lights for this year.

Mr Blackaller said that they were hoping to raise 2,000 towards the 2003 lights.

'I walked up and down the High Street asking for donations from traders and without exception had a very positive response,' he said.