There'll be late-night Christmas shopping in Dawlish on the first Friday after lockdown ends, with businesses being encouraged to stay open well into the evening.

The idea is to attract shoppers into the town on the evening of Friday, December 4, to enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations, and also to extend shopping hours to make social distancing easier.

If it's successful, there will be late-night shopping on the following two Fridays before Christmas.

The chairman of Dawlish Chamber of Trade, Neil Salter, announced the late-night opening in a Facebook video message to members, encouraging them to take part.

But he emphasised that he would help promote all local shops and businesses, whether or not they are members, in the crucial run-up to Christmas.

Dawlish is already attracting winter visitors

He said even during lockdown there have been plenty of visitors to Dawlish, with many attracted by the huge WaveWalker machine currently building the foundations of the new sea wall.

He said Dawlish also attracts visitors from Exeter and other locations, who prefer to do their Christmas shopping in a small town.

He is urging Dawlish residents to support their local shops and enjoy the late-night opening, rather than ordering all their Christmas presents, decorations and food online.

'Showing the world' what Dawlish has to offer

Neil is planning a major photo and video campaign and said he would be visiting shops to 'show the world' what they have to offer.

He will be videoing the late-night shopping and photographing all the shops' decorations and Christmas trees, once those still waiting for their trees have them in place.

Dawlish Nub News will share some of those photos and videos, with Neil's permission.