Article Source: Go Forth Stirling
Last Updated: 4 November 2024 12:10
The Guising Day, Halloween Trail and Light Show proved a big hit with families and business owners who dressed up, cast spells and brought some magic to the city streets.
Businesses welcomed youngsters dressed as witches, wizards and goblins into their shops for tricks and treats and the events also included a Magic Wand Making Workshop and Halloween street performer Magic Merlin.
Meanwhile, an after-dark treat was in store on King Street when the Athenaeum was lit up with dazzling Halloween graphics in a spectacular light show.
More than 2,000 people registered for the events, organised by Go Forth Stirling BID, with several hundred guisers visiting 31 participating businesses and the Go Forth offices which had been transformed into a Witches Workshop.
Footfall counters showed an increase of 34% in the city centre across the weekend - compared with the same weekend last year - with 53,773 visitors on the Saturday (October 26) and 30,966 on the Sunday (October 27).
Meanwhile, 80% of respondents surveyed about the events said they discovered businesses they were unaware of thanks to their participation in the Halloween Trail.
Sophie Corbett, who runs the newly opened SRTD Vintage shop in Stirling Arcade, said Saturday’s events made her opening day extra special and helped spread awareness about her business.
She said: “It was wonderful to have extra footfall on my opening day with lots of youngsters dressed up in Halloween costumes coming in with their families for the Guising Day.
“Lots of the parents told me they planned to return for a proper look around the shop and were really interested in what I have to offer and it was good to get involved with the rest of the business community in an event so soon after starting my new venture.”
Lisa Davidson, who owns gift shop Tinkerbells Emporium on Friars Street, had around 230 guisers visiting her shop on the Saturday and sales were up by 30%.
She said: “It was an enjoyable day with a fantastic collective community spirit surrounding all the events and we were pleased to get involved.
“The Friars Street businesses also hosted our annual pumpkin carving competition with Laura from Nevermore Tattoo Studio named as this year’s winner.”
Stirling resident Aisha Abdi enjoyed the Sunday evening Light Show with her husband Daniel Valles.
She said: “I was so impressed with the Light Show – it was amazing and just fantastic to have something like this in Stirling.
“It was lovely to see so many children enjoying the projections which really brought King Street to life and I’d like to see more light show events in the city.”
The Go Forth Stirling team were delighted with the reception the events received.
Events Co-ordinator Josie Brown said: “We’re thrilled with the success of the weekend which brought lots of extra visitors into Stirling and a chance for families to enjoy a weekend of fun.
“The feedback from participating businesses and families has been positive and it was good to hear that 80% of Trail participants who completed our survey said they had discovered businesses which were new to them while taking part.
“Some said they didn’t usually venture outside of the Thistles and were pleased to find lots of lovely new shops and cafes while following the Trail.
“We’re grateful to everyone who got involved and especially want to thank all the participating businesses who helped make our Halloween events such a success.”
A total of 235 youngsters completed the Halloween Trail by finding hidden ingredients in local shops, collecting them and bringing them to the Go Forth office to cast a spell and receive a prize.
One family said: “My daughter did the Halloween trail during the week and loved it so much we came back to do it again on the Saturday alongside the guising trail. It was fantastic! Such a great idea for children and a wonderful way to meet local business owners.”
The Halloween Trail and dedicated events are among the many initiatives - aimed at boosting footfall and encouraging more visitors to come into the city centre - organised by Go Forth Stirling BID (Business Improvement District).
The organisation was set up in 2017 and currently represents more than 600 local businesses with a key objective of delivering projects and services which improve Stirling’s trading environment to benefit businesses, shoppers and visitors.
For more details visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
Image: A Scotdrone photo of Go Forth's Halloween Light Show on King Street
Phil Cunningham's beloved Christmas Songbook is set to return to Stirling, bringing festive cheer and a captivating blend of contemporary and traditional Christmas tunes to The Albert Halls!
READ MOREThe Glencairn Glass, the world's favourite whisky glass made by Scottish company Glencairn Crystal, has launched a collection of gripping crime fiction short stories by up-and-coming crime authors.
READ MOREitison's popular Drive-In Movies Christmas event is returning to Loch Lomond Shores over the 13th - 24th of December and tickets for the highly anticipated events go on-sale tomorrow morning!
READ MOREScotland’s leisure and tourism industry is making waves as Lost Shore Surf Resort, the nation’s first inland surf destination, officially opens its doors on the 11th November.
READ MOREVisitors to Stirling enjoyed a fun-filled Halloween thanks to a series of spooktacular events organised by the Go Forth team.
READ MOREitison's Drive In Movies Christmas has announced its return to Loch Lomond Shores this December with the festive spectacular running over not just one, but two weekends!
READ MOREThe French Film Festival UK have announced the 2024 programme with more than 200 screenings of 60 French-language films across more than 25 different locations.
READ MORELightbulb Film Distribution have announced that Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound will be released in UK & Irish cinemas for one night only on November 19th.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres will host free festive-inspired events, giving people of all ages the chance to create garden-inspired gift ideas and Christmas decorations through fun, hands-on activities.
READ MORE25p from every ticket sold for Fawkes Festival, Starry Nights at Dean Castle and the brand-new Starry Nights experience at Beecraigs Country Park will be donated to Cash for Kids.
READ MOREThe spooky season has arrived and VisitScotland reveals the most haunted castles and shares expert tips for capturing real ghosts.
READ MOREFollowing a successful event at the SEC last weekend, tickets for the 2025 Scottish Wedding Show are on sale, giving brides and grooms-to-be the chance to secure tickets to the upcoming event.
READ MORErEDOLENT ‘dinny greet’ was last night announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award in Stirling’s Albert Halls.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) is looking to the people of Scotland for input on draft plan to help country’s heritage deliver real, lasting benefits for all.
READ MOREStirling’s streets will be filled with Halloween fun this weekend as the Go Forth team launch a series of special events.
READ MOREWith just over a week to go until the sold-out 2024 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards at Barrowland Ballroom, the prestigious awards ceremony has announced its latest winners.
READ MOREStirling 900 award winner David Nicholas Wilkinson will be screening a work-in-progress version of his latest piece, The Marbles at Central Scotland Documentary Festival 2024.
READ MOREThe Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television is preparing to open its doors on 31st October, inviting potential future students to explore its state-of-the-art facilities.
READ MOREPaisley Halloween Festival which comes back to town next week with some exciting event changes to celebrate its 10-year anniversary... here's everything you need to know!
READ MOREThe Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has revealed a first look at the remarkable sculpted glass prizes this year’s Shortlist will receive.
READ MOREThe world’s leading folk, roots and world music festival Celtic Connections has unveiled its ambitious, multi-faceted programme for 2025.
READ MOREEducation charity, Into Film Scotland, has launched the 11th Into Film Festival programme and bookings are now live for this year’s exciting edition in November.
READ MOREA LEADING walking charity is inviting members of the public to discover the benefits of everyday physical activity at a special event on Saturday 19th October.
READ MOREThe public has just two weeks left to nominate outstanding independent retailers for Go Forth Stirling BID’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORECountry's largest wedding showcase is back and giving Scots the chance to snap up free tickets.
READ MOREA finalised masterplan for the development of the Forthside area has been approved by Stirling Council.
READ MORELoch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted with loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs and loch tours and much more!
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is unveiling a magical line up of festive experiences for all the family to enjoy this Christmas, including the much-loved Grotto which is back with a brand-new look.
READ MOREThis weekend, Sterling Home is celebrating 50 years as Scotland’s leading family-owned home furnishing retailer with a series of exciting in-store promotions across all stores.
READ MORESome of the latest horror blockbusters, as well as creepy classics and enchanting family favourites, will be heading to the big screen at Vue this Halloween season!
READ MORE