This year we’ve worked hard to ensure that the Christmas marketing campaign is the best it has ever been. To do this we have brought together a fantastic team guaranteed to bring in the crowds. Whitefriars, Stagecoach South East, Visit Canterbury and Canterbury on Ice have joined us to ensure Canterbury IS Christmas.
So how can you get involved and make the most of this Christmas campaign?
* Share the Christmas Guides and Maps
We have produced Christmas Maps and Guides which arrived this week! A total of 30,000 copies will be circulated across the county. If you want a copy for your website or to share on social media click below to download them. If you would prefer some physical copies email: Emily.wells@canterburybid.co.uk
UPDATE: We have also been given a handy pdf of Park and Ride opening hours over the Christmas period here.
* Use #CanterburyisChristmas
We have a wonderful library of Canterbury Christmas images which you are welcome to make use of on your social media channels (please credit Canterbury BID and use the #). We also have digital artwork for the campaign available to use, included an animated giff. Everything is available to download HERE.
* Take part in the Christmas Window Competition
A beautifully decorated Christmas shop window helps to attract customers through the door, increase footfall and encourage spend. As soon as you have decorated your window click below and enter the window competition – deadline 28 Nov. All entries will feature on MyCanterbury social media. The top 20 shops will receive a visit from judges on 7 December. Find out more.
* Host a Golden Egg Sticker in your window
Mother Goose ‘mislaid’ some of her golden eggs. Visitors are being asked to keep an eye out for the golden egg stickers in shop windows in order to win a goodie bag of prizes for a special Canterbury Christmas experience. The competition runs from 15 Nov -15 Dec. We have allocated 20 of the 25 eggs, let Rachel know if you would like to be included in the trail in exchange for a goodie bag prize. rachel.pilard@canterburybid.co.uk Find out more
* Join in with the Late Night Shopping Events
Currently there are two late night shopping events planned. For the independents on The Kings Mile and Cathedral Quarter this will fall on 29 Nov (Black Friday, launch of Ice Rink and visit from Small Business Saturday Bus). For Whitefriars and the Christmas Market it will be 19 December to help those last minute shoppers. We will promote both events through our digital marketing channels.
* Celebrate Small Business Saturday
This is a national campaign to support small businesses. It will begin with a visit from the Small Business Bus on Friday 29 Nov in Iron Bar Lane. Businesses can book free mentoring sessions, attend their free networking event and even feature in a Facebook Live interview. Small Business Saturday will then take place on Saturday 7 Dec (same date as the Festive Fling on the Kings Mile and Christmas Window Competition).
* Make sure you have a Visit Canterbury listing
This year Visit Canterbury has created a dedicated homepage for all things Christmas taking place in the city. Please make sure your free business listing is up to date as we expect this site to be a hive of activity over Christmas as it is the site we are sending everyone to through our digital campaign.
* Offer a prize for the MyCanterbury Chat Bot
This year the Christmas campaign has gone high tech! Thanks to Digital Beans MyCanterbury Facebook will have its very own Chat Bot! We will be promoting as many events and promotions through it as possible. To get people signed up, we will be offering some giveaways. If you would like your business promoted through the campaign contact: kathy.moulton@canterburybid.co.uk
What else is happening to promote Canterbury this Christmas?
Highlights include:
- Heart FM radio campaign
- Posters on Southeastern train stations
- Digital Posters in Whitefriars
- Posters on Stagecoach Buses
- Adverts in: INDEX Magazine, INSIDE Kent, Kentish Gazette (including front page banners).
- Banners at Canterbury on Ice
- Social media #CanterburyisChristmas campaign
