'We're getting ready...' - Barton Grange Garden Centre prepares to unveil Christmas displays

Staff at Barton Grange Garden Centre are working like Father Christmas’ elves as they prepare to unveil this year’s festive department, with customers invited to a special preview evening.

The free Christmas preview will take place from 5pm to 9pm on Thursday, October 22, giving visitors the chance to discover the latest festive trends, decorations and gifts, as well as gather seasonal inspiration. Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of fizz and a mince pie, alongside live music and entertainment to help get them into the festive spirit.

The garden centre promises spectacular Christmas displays featuring contemporary, traditional and kitsch styles, with ornate baubles, glittering garlands, festive floristry and more. David Fawcett-Ropner, display manager at Barton Grange, has said this year’s displays had a strong focus on children, with a variety of themes designed to appeal to different tastes.

"We're getting ready for our Christmas open evening on Thursday 22nd of October,” he said. “Our main theme this year is very much based around children.

“One is a bit more of a fantasy called Peppermint Palace, which is all candy canes and houses, and then the additional theme is what most people will perceive to be Christmas, which is very traditional, with Santa's desk, leaving a message to say he's gone into the workshop, very, very traditional.

"Another theme is Mystical Forest,” David added. “The concept behind this is reindeer coming out of a forest, through the gates, all white and blue. Again, it's a bit of a fantasy look, but it's one of the colour combinations that sells really, really well.

"The Winter Retreat is a different look for us from previous years. This is what we call a classic Alpine kind of look, inspired by being outside at Christmas, assuming we had nice weather, a little bit of light snow, very, very elegant.

"Our most colourful theme this year, inspired for children. We have a Gruffalo range, which is a concept that we've ever done before. We have Winnie the Pooh and for the traditionalists among you, we've got London Calling!"

The displays will also feature a range of Christmas trees, with David highlighting one particular product as his favourite this year. He said: "My favourite product that we're selling this year is the Arden 7ft pre-lit Christmas tree. It's got a great shape, with great space within the tree, so when you're hanging decorations you can get some nice space around them. I just think it's absolutely stunning to look at!

"We do a great range of other trees, pre-lit, snowy, in lots of different varieties and sizes. We're also going to be doing fresh trees later in the season when they arrive. Anything to do with trees, lights, come and see us here at Barton Grange Garden Centre."

Beyond the preview evening, visitors will also be able to enjoy late-night shopping at the garden centre from Saturday, November 14. The extended opening hours will run from 4pm to 8pm, Tuesday to Saturday, until December 19, with dazzling light shows and a festive atmosphere. Families can also book a Santa's Grotto Experience, set in an outdoor winter wonderland.

The journey begins at the North Pole, where Reindeer Ronnie will help children make reindeer food for Christmas Eve. Visitors can then step inside the magical grotto to meet Santa and his elves before selecting a gift.