Luton Point has been taking the time to reflect on the success of its Christmas 2024 season.
The centre welcomed nearly 1.6 million visitors over the festive period for a series of exciting events and, of course, Christmas shopping! The centre is home to over a hundred stores and top brands, all under one roof, with additional arrivals such as Popeyes, Toytown and Utilita, alongside new independents like Hadara Woman and SpudKingz in 2024. The pop-up Christmas Shop also saw displays of exciting festive décor, ready to make any home feel festive.
Returning for another year was Luton Point’s popular grotto, this year themed as the Enchanted Forest Grotto. Over 2,200 visitors paid a visit to Father Christmas and his elves, enjoying festive crafts and photo opportunities at a magical cabin in Central Square. The grotto also served as a means to fundraise for local charity The Lewis Foundation, with £2,166 raised thanks to the generosity of its visitors. The funds were used to make up gift packs for adults undergoing cancer treatment in hospitals in Bedfordshire, with a giant cheque presented to Chief Operating Officers Lorraine and Lee Lewis.
Luton Point also once again partnered with Luton Foodbank for their Luton Smiles campaign. Thanks to the generosity of shoppers, 250 toys were donated at the giant gift box for distribution to local families in Luton expected to face a difficult Christmas, with a further £3,908 raised by the team for this important local charity campaign. Some of the team at Luton Point also gave up their Christmas Eve to sort through donations and prepare meals at Chiltern Academy, ready for delivery to local families.
During December the team proudly contributed nearly 40 hours of volunteering, supporting Luton Foodbank, Curry Kitchen and Luton Smiles, as part of their ongoing efforts to give back to the local community.
The artistic talents of local primary schools were celebrated with a Christmas Character Competition, encouraging pupils to design their very own creative characters in the hopes of being featured across the shopping centre’s festive messaging campaigns. The competition saw 812 submissions from 17 schools, with a huge variety of colourful and inspirational designs, but ultimately it was Tennyson Road Primary School who captured the attention of the judges, with six pupils’ work chosen to be featured. They also won a cheque for £1,000 for the school for their outstanding submissions, which was presented to the children by Centre Director Roy Greening.
A selection of the submissions received were put in a cosy display at the shopping centre’s Smith’s Lane Entrance, which passers by could enjoy on their visit to the centre.
The combined efforts of Luton Point throughout the festive season have once again made it a Christmas to remember for local families and staff alike.
Lavinia Douglass, Marketing Manager at Luton Point commented: “We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible support from our visitors and community this Christmas. From the heartwarming visits to the Enchanted Forest Grotto, to the outstanding generosity of our shoppers and team, this festive season has truly embodied the spirit of giving and togetherness. We’d like to extend a huge thanks to everyone who got involved in making it a Christmas to remember, and we are already planning a fantastic 2025.”
Further information can be found on Luton Point’s website.
