Thousands enjoy the festivities at Leigh Spinning Gate shopping centre

Following Leigh's Christmas lights switch-on and light parade earlier this month, Spinning Gate shopping centre has helped thousands of residents get into the festive spirit.

With a huge Christmas tree and twinkling decorations lighting up the centre, there has been a variety of events in the lead-up to Christmas.

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There have been more than 2,500 visits to Santa in Leigh (Image: Spinning Gate)
With free visits to Santa on offer from Thursday to Sundays throughout December, the town's shopping centre has been incredibly popular with over 2,500 children enjoying a free Santa visit in just 8 days

Little ones have received a candy cane or chocolate coin from Father Christmas and took home a carrot for Rudolph to enjoy on Christmas Eve, while families have been invited by Santa’s elf to capture the memories on their mobile phones.

As festive lights have twinkled throughout the centre, there has also been free family festive entertainment such as a Willy Wonka performing magic tricks, the Grinch, and gingerbread characters handing out hundreds of treats.

A number of festive characters have showed up at the shopping centre (Image: Spinning Gate)
During the first 12 days of December, the centre also surprised one shopper each day, presenting them with a thank-you treat for shopping in the centre and spreading some Christmas cheer. 

In addition to this, a Christmas charity gift wrapping service ensured shoppers had all of their Christmas gifts wrapped for a donation to local charity Compassion in Action, while the centre has also supported the charity's annual Christmas toy appeal to ensure no child is left without a gift or visit from Santa.

Shoppers have also enjoyed lots of performances of carol signing on the mall, adding to the Christmas atmosphere, with the festivities continuing for the next few days.

There have been numerous festive events hosted at the centre (Image: Spinning Gate)
Karen Cox, Centre Manager of Spinning Gate Shopping Centre said: "Christmas is all about giving & spreading joy and Christmas cheer. 

"At Spinning Gate Shopping Centre, we love giving back to our shoppers with our free Santa visits, free entertainment each Saturday, free giveaways during our 12 days of Christmas, free chocolates and gingerbreads too! Happy Christmas everyone."

The 12 Days of Christmas winners at the centre (Image: Spinning Gate)
With a 93% occupancy level at the centre, free parking will remain on the shopper car park at the weekend and during the week after 3pm until January 5, 2024.