THE Summer Wednesdays extended hours shopping scheme starts in Great Yarmouth town centre this week. From tomorrow, and the following five Wednesdays, town centre shops will be staying open until 8pm.

THE Summer Wednesdays extended hours shopping scheme starts in Great Yarmouth town centre this week.

From tomorrow, and the following five Wednesdays, town centre shops will be staying open until 8pm.

The Town Centre Partnership and Market Gates shopping centre have arranged free entertainment and fun-filled activities on each night to enhance the experience.

Live music, Punch and Judy shows, craft workshops, street dance groups, balloon modelling, donkey rides, face painting and bungee trampolines are adding to the excitement.

Shops are joining in the fun with their own events and exclusive promotions.

Retailers organising in-store events include Books Inside with a series of meet the author book signings, Boots with a weekly fashion show, Game and Gamestation with a special Singstar console in Market Gates and Peacocks providing expert advice with an in-store beautician.

Town centre manager, Jonathan Newman said: “The Summer Wednesdays initiative provides a great opportunity for shoppers to stay a bit later and enjoy some great free entertainment

“With Great Yarmouth Borough Council providing free parking in town centre car parks from 4pm and Fireworks on the Seafront there is all the more reason to come into town and make the most of the facilities on offer.”