Seven Dials announces seasonal celebrations in support of local community
Shaftesbury has officially announced a program of Christmas activities taking place at its distinctive West End village of Seven Dials, being carried out in partnership with local charity Dragon Hall Trust to provide support for the community.
In line with the latest government restrictions, Seven Dials’ streets will safely come to life with a live window display, festive acoustic music, and bespoke restaurant offerings, complementing the atmospheric display of Christmas lights throughout the open-air destination.
All activity will drive funds for chosen charity partner Dragon Hall Trust, which supports those who are disadvantaged in the surrounding West End community including the vulnerable and elderly, children and young people, as well as those in quarantine or shielding during the holidays.
From 5th December, visitors to Seven Dials will be able to glimpse Father Christmas and his elves hard at work at a dedicated festive grotto at 19 Earlham Street, as part of the only live window display in London’s West End. As well, prizes will be on offer for those who spot, snap and share pictures of Father Christmas out and about in the streets of Seven Dials.
‘Seven Dials Unplugged’ live acoustic music series will also make a return in the lead up to Christmas, with some of the UK’s best up-and-coming artists performing every Thursday and Saturday from 5th December. Performances will be limited to 15 minutes and take place simultaneously throughout the destination, encouraging visitors to move through Seven Dials interconnecting streets and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Visitors can also admire and enjoy the recently illuminated Christmas lights, which zig zag throughout the area with colourful baubles marking the start and finish of Earlham and Neal Street. The famous Dial is also dressed in a halo of branch lights, accented with colourful ornaments and silver birch sprays.
With the reopening of retail and hospitality across the destination, many of Seven Dials restaurants will be getting into the Christmas spirit, including Seven Dials Market which will be hosting cheese fondue and wine nights, bottomless brunch, seasonal dishes and cocktails, topped off with festive markets and carols. Chick N Sours, The Barbary and Apple Butter are amongst the other operators welcoming back visitors with festive menus and outdoor seating.
To correspond with the program of Christmas activity, Seven Dials has implemented prominent ‘tap & donate’ points throughout the destination where visitors and passers-by can make a direct donation to Dragon Hall Trust, to support its vital work and assist those in need this Christmas.
Karen Baines, Head of Group Marketing & Communication at Shaftesbury commented on this year’s plans: “We recognise that it has been a very difficult year for everyone, which is why we are more delighted than ever to announce the range of Christmas festivities taking place in Seven Dials this year. There really is something for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to safely welcoming you back to the area and being part of your Christmas again.”
Nicole Furre, Director at Dragon Hall Trust added, “We are pleased to be the chosen Christmas charity partner for Seven Dials this year. Donations received from the public will provide emergency food to those in need and support the local community throughout Christmas and into 2021.”
To find out more about Christmas in Seven Dials, visit the Seven Dials website or follow Seven Dials on Instagram (@7DialsLondon), for the most up-to-date news and Digital Advent Calendar gift suggestions from 1st December.
ENDS
For further information please contact Aver:
Amy Cassidy: amycassidy@averpr.com / +44 (0)7495 461 547
Clare McInerney: claremcinerney@averpr.com / +44 (0)7495 461 579
Notes to Editors
Seven Dials
Seven Dials is home to 95 shops, including international flagships and concept stores, renowned beauty and grooming salons as well as over 50 vibrant cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, and a thriving residential community. The area comprises of Monmouth Street, Earlham Street, Neal Street, Shorts Gardens, Neal’s Yard, Endell Street, Shelton Street, Mercer Street and the Seven Dials Sundial Pillar. Combined with two luxury hotels, five theatres, two private members clubs, a large number of apartments and offices, Seven Dials is a unique retail and leisure destination in the heart of London.
Sevendials.co.uk @7DialsLondon
Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury owns and manages a 15.2 -acre property portfolio in the liveliest parts of London's West End. Focused on restaurants, leisure and retail in the highly popular, sought-after and prosperous locations of Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown, together with substantial ownerships in East and West Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia.
The portfolio comprises 607 restaurants, cafés, pubs and shops, extending to 1.1 million sq. ft., 616 apartments and 0.4 million sq. ft. of offices. All our properties are close to the main West End Underground stations, which currently handle c228m passenger’s p.a., and within ten minutes’ walk of the two West End transport hubs for the Elizabeth Line, at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street, which projections indicate could be handling 200 million passengers annually by the mid-2020s.
@shaftesburyplc shaftesbury.co.uk
Dragon Hall Trust
Dragon Hall Trust is a community centre supporting children and young people, our BAME communities and those over 55. We provide activities, talks, events, exercise and digital opportunities to those disadvantaged living in our area. During the pandemic we have been providing tablets and laptops to those who are unable to get online or afford to purchase the equipment and expertise to enable them to function well at this time. We set up a foodbank to supply food to those in need and will continue to do so for as long as it is needed, plus telephone support, advice on benefits and access to health and activities to join in with via zoom.
Seven Dials Unplugged Timings – various locations in Seven Dials
· Saturday 5th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Thursday 10th December between 4pm – 7pm
· Saturday 12th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Thursday 17th December between 4pm – 7pm
· Saturday 19th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Wednesday 23rd December between 4pm – 7pm
Seven Dials Father Christmas & Live Christmas Window – 19 Earlham Street
· Saturday 5th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Sunday 6th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Thursday 10th December between 4pm – 8pm
· Saturday 12th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Sunday 13th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Thursday 17th December between 4pm – 8pm
· Saturday 19th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Sunday 20th December between 2pm – 7pm
· Thursday 24th December between 4pm – 8pm
Details of the road closures in Seven Dials
· Monmouth Street will be permanently closed to traffic from St Martin’s Lane
· Monmouth Street north will be closed to traffic at Princess Circus during the timed period
· Residents only will have access to Seven Dials roundabout from Mercer Street
· Neal Street north will be closed from Shorts Gardens during the timed period
· The direction of traffic will be reversed for Shorts Gardens from Seven Dials roundabout to Endell Street and Monmouth Street south from Tower Street
· Pedestrian access to Neals Yard will be from an existing entry point at the northern end of Monmouth Street, with visitors leaving via either a separate exit onto Monmouth Street or onto Shorts Gardens