At The Heart Of A Very Special Christmas
Last Christmas, we wished for better fortune and a brighter future. Garstang’s Booths store, at the heart of the bustling market town, has long embodied the festive spirit: bringing staff, suppliers and shoppers together through a commitment to friendly service, quality provisions, and delicious food and drink, making life taste that little bit better, writes Kate Bowyer. Photography: Kirsten Platt
When Garstang streets emptied during lockdown, Booths remained an essential, reliable provider, through all the challenges of maintaining stock, safety, sanitising and staffing. As manager Adam Slater reflects on the joy of once again celebrating with friends and family this festive season, he has paid tribute to Garstang’s community spirit.
Adam said: “It brought home how much we depend on our customers, just as they depend on us. Their loyalty, understanding, and patience throughout lockdown was overwhelming. Touchingly, regular customers would often pass me a packet of biscuits or chocolate from their shopping to give to shop staff; I want those people to know every single gift was shared in the staff room and hugely appreciated.
“The fantastic team at Booths Garstang often feels more like family, and those bonds have been tested like never before. From greeting and guiding socially distanced shoppers to supporting each other, our staff have pulled us through. So it’s wonderful to once again decorate the store, stock the shelves, and relaunch the great Booths traditions that really say it’s Christmas, seeing smiles on colleagues’ and customers’ faces, and knowing we’ve got here together.”
Outside Booths is regularly at the centre of community events. Instore, shelves are groaning with Christmas biscuits and beverages, calendars and confectionary, puddings and poinsettias, nut roasts and nibbles and – of course – turkeys and tinsel! There’s even eco-friendly crackers to round it all off with a bang!
The famous free Booths Christmas books are flying out, with a final order date 15th December, but Adam advises, with everyone keen to celebrate again, don’t be left behind: “People are definitely stocking up much earlier this year. New year orders are still open until midnight on 21st December (from the book) and to support local shoppers and those who like the personal touch, we’re open until midnight Mon 21st to Thurs 23rd, with plentiful free 3-hour parking. Then our hardworking staff close up at 6pm on Christmas Eve for Christmas and Boxing Day – I reckon we can trust Santa to take it from there!”
Booths Garstang
Cherestanc Square, Park Hill Road
Garstang PR3 1EF
booths.co.uk/store/garstang
orders.booths.co.uk/booths-christmas-2021-preview
booths.co.uk/christmas-at-booths-2021
