Jingle bells are on their way to the Port Arcades Shopping Centre in Ellesmere Port .
Christmas will be coming early to the centre on Thursdays November 26 and December 3 when shoppers will be able to collect a free jingle bell purse protector.
The bells will be on offer between 11am and 12.30pm but may finish sooner subject to demand. The helpful little bells clip on to the zip of a purse or wallet and act as an audible warning signal to shoppers in the event of any unexpected movement.
The initiative, jointly organised by the Ellesmere Port Against Business Crime Unit and the Port Arcades, will be supported by Cheshire Police. A similar event last year saw almost 2,000 bells given out in just two hours.
Interest from America
News of their success in the town travelled far and wide with a shopping mall in America contacting the Port Arcades for information about implementing a similar scheme.
Ani Budd from the Ellesmere Port Against Business Crime Unit said: “The very effective and extremely popular Jingle bells initiative is making a return this year welcomed by shoppers, retailers and the police.”
She described the initiative as an effective way of providing reassurance that everyone is working together to keep the town a safe place to shop.
Centre manager Les Lyon said: “We were amazed at the public response to this scheme last Christmas and are delighted to once again be able to offer these devices to our shoppers free of charge.”
