Stagecoach South West lights up Christmas in Exeter
For the second year running Stagecoach is sponsoring Exeter’s Christmas lights switch-on event, taking place on 16 November.
A significant contribution has been made by the bus operator to support the family event, organised by Exeter Business Improvement District (BID).
Last year, over 11,000 people attended the lights switch on. This year, numbers are expected to exceed this as the Cathedral Christmas Market opens on the same night.
The switch-on officially kicks off late night shopping Thursdays and the start of the holiday season, backed by Stagecoach’s comprehensive network of local bus services to get to and from the City.
The entertainment starts at 4pm in Bedford Square, Princesshay with a fantastic mix of local acts and live music. The switch on itself will take place at 6.30pm with Aviva Premiership winners the Exeter Chiefs doing the honours.
Ann Hunter, Exeter BID Manager: “The Christmas light switch on is a great family occasion in the heart of the city, marking the beginning of the festive season as well as the opening of the Christmas market on Cathedral Green and late night shopping throughout the city.
“Thanks to Stagecoach and its sponsorship, visitors can enjoy beautiful Christmas lights and easy, reliable and safe travel into the city over the festive season.”
Stagecoach South West will be bringing a festively decorated bus to the High Street where they’ll be giving out festive freebies and be on hand to answer customers’ questions and provide the timetable information for the Christmas and New Year period.
Customers can also visit the Stagecoach bus website to find out about holiday season travel and get ideas on what to see and do over the Christmas period.
Helen Scholes, Marketing Manager at Stagecoach South West, commented: “We are delighted to again be sponsoring this fantastic event and helping to support the lovely experience that Exeter City Centre offers.
"It really is fantastic to be involved in such a big occasion for the city. I hope everyone has an amazing evening and, of course, leaves their cars behind and takes the bus!”
From the same night, Stagecoach is also adding extra journeys to its Red (Honiton Road) Park and Ride service on late night Thursdays. There will be additional buses from the city centre every half hour between 8.10pm and 10.10pm.
The 4 service, which leaves from the bus station, also stops by the Honiton Road site with the last bus back leaving at 11.10pm (Mon-Sat) and 6.10pm (Sundays). The Green (Sowton & Matford) Park and Ride will continue with its usual timetable, operating Monday to Saturday only with last buses back from the city centre at 7.10pm (Matford) and 7.50pm (Sowton).
The 9 service, which leaves from the bus station, also stops by the Sowton site with the last bus back leaving at 11.35pm seven days a week.
For more information about the BID and the Exeter Christmas lights switch-on event, please visit: www.exeterbid.co.uk
