Allders Christmas Launch

Allders is planning to make your Christmas extra special this year.

The Allders Christmas Shop is now open on the ground floor where you'll find everything you need to make your home festive this Christmas.

Saturday, November 14 is the official Allders Christmas launch, with Miss Christmas and The Christmas Children providing the entertainment for all the family, as the Switch On ceremony launches another Allders Christmas. Look out for a special appearance from Father Christmas and his Elves on the night.

Throughout the Christmas period Father Christmas will be in town to keep the family entertained. Bring the children (with their Christmas lists!) and visit Father Christmas in his beautiful traditional grotto on the Ground Floor of Allders. Grotto opening times will be displayed in the childrenswear department on the Ground Floor.

You can even enjoy a bite to eat with Santa. Brunch with Santa runs on Sundays December 6, 13 and 20. For tickets and further information visit Customer Services, located on the third floor.

Shopping Centres Getting in the Christmas Spirit

Centrale will be getting in the Christmas spirit with The Salvation Army choir and band from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on November 19.

Across the road in the Whitgift Centre, the new Whitgift gold, red and purple Christmas lights will be illuminated on November 19 at 6:15pm in tandem with the town centre's Switch On event.

The Christmas Grotto in Whitgift Square will also open on November 19 from 12pm to 8pm. The Grotto is going to be bigger and better than ever before, Santa and his elves have been in training and will be ready for action every day between November 19 and December 24. Buy grotto tickets via the website (www.thewhitgiftcroydon.co.uk) for £4 per child and Weenie club members will receive a 25% discount. Grotto opening times may vary so check www.thewhitgiftcroydon.co.uk for daily opening hours.

Also on November 19 members of the Crystal Palace Football Team will be in centre from 9am to 8pm to set up a special Christmas shop near the Christmas Grotto in Whitgift Square. Ten of the club's first team players will be making an appearance from 5:30pm – 7pm to have photographs and sign autographs for their fans.

Child Safe: Keeping Christmas Shopping Season Safe for the Whole Family

Croydon Town Centre is perhaps one of the safest places in the UK to get your Christmas Shopping in this year.

Child Safe works by employing a very simple system. Posters are displayed around town with a direct number to each shopping centre's security team in the CCTV control room. If a child becomes separated from their parent or guardian, the security team is then able to immediately action its search procedure.

Shoppers can also pick up a free colourful wristband to write their mobile number on. Children in their care then wear the band throughout their stay at any of the shopping centres around town, and if they become separated anyone finding the child can quickly make a call to let the guardian know where their loved one has wandered off to. It's simple but very effective, and families should look out for the Child Safe Zone's smiley orange balloon stickers on shop windows up and down the high street.

For further information on Child Safe visit the Croydon BID website – www.croydontowncentre.com