Tues, 14 October 2025, 10:00am - 13:00pm   Houghton Library, 74 Newbottle St, Houghton le Spring DH4 4AF

Calling all Retail and Hospitality Businesses in Sunderland! It’s time to Get Your Business Christmas Ready!

The festive season is just around the corner—and now’s the time to get ahead! Whether you’re a retailer or run a hospitality business, planning early is key to making the most of this peak trading period.

Join BIPC North East’s Retail Expert Karen Williamson for a practical, hands-on workshop designed to support Sunderland’s high street businesses. This session will help you plan your Christmas activity with confidence—from sales strategy to stocking the right products that are set to fly off the shelves.

What we’ll cover:

  • Key market trends affecting retail right now
  • Shifting customer buying habits
  • Christmas 2025: What’s hot in gifting
  • How shoppers are using high streets (and what they’re looking for)
  • What’s in your control—and what’s not
  • How to complete a formal review of your business and where to invest for the future

You’ll leave with:

  • A Christmas-ready strategy
  • Your own retail and hospitality checklist
  • A completed review of your business
  • A festive trading calendar and a 2026 outline

You’ll also have the chance to meet and connect with other local businesses in retail and hospitality—because collaboration is just as important as competition.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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Get in touch with BIPC North East

Contact us today if you’re interested in receiving business support. We'll help give you the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow and protect your business.

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The North of Tyne Combined Authority is a partnership of three local authorities: Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, and Northumberland County Council and the North of Tyne Elected Mayor. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

  bipcnortheast@newcastle.gov.uk