VIDEO: Shops getting busier
As the Christmas shopping season gets underway, Devon's retailers are finding prospects mixed.
Florist Lyndsey Bryant in Plymouth says: "Everyone's being a little bit guarded because I think they've got no choice unfortunately. I think people are not feeling as frivolous as they once were, but each person's different....It's pick and mix, as they say."
Plymouth Market is offering free events and competitions, an inflatable grotto, and the best Santa you'll ever meet (it's quite possible other Santas are available).
Big out-of-town Christmas attractions are also competing for a share of the festive shopping purse, including Plymouth's Winter Wonderland at Central Park. They've enjoyed a bumper first weekend, which organiser David Monk says exceeded their expectations. But they're conscious of the challenging economic times and are keeping charges as reasonable as possible, whilst still putting on great show.
The attached video is from BBC Spotlight.
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