A special Christmas in store at Bridge Centre
It's a very special Christmas at the Bridge Centre this year, as the Tullamore retail hub's 30th anniversary celebrations continue throughout the festive season.
Dressed up with extra festive cheer, the centre has 35 shops to choose from for all of your Christmas gifting needs.
"There’s a big push for shopping locally this year, that’s the main emphasis," said John Cusack, manager at the Bridge Centre.
"We’re full to capacity now again, which hasn’t happened since pre-Covid. It's a great testament to the shopping centre, and a lot of these businesses are locally run.
"We will also have craft stalls running throughout the month, with products made by local sellers and community groups, including members of our international community who will make and sell goods from their home countries."
There's a jam-packed schedule of events in the Bridge Centre across the festive season, from choir performances by local schools and community groups to the Ashling Murphy Memorial Day which is being hosted this Saturday, December 6, from 10am to 5pm.
The event is a way to celebrate Ashling's life and legacy, and will also feature the launch of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund Gaeltacht Scholarship.
The Bridge Centre is operating under extended opening hours over the festive period, as John Cusack explained.
"We’ll be open from 9am to 8pm on December 14, 8am to 8pm on December 15 and 16, 8am to 10pm on December 17, 18 and 19, 7am to 10pm on December 20, 8am to 10pm on December 21, 7am to 10pm on December 22 and 23, and 7am to 6pm sharp on Christmas Eve.
"We’re closed on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day, and reopening on December 27. We're also closed on New Year’s Day."
The Bridge Centre now has EV charging points available for those in need of an energy boost while they shop, as well as 30-minute quick park spots directly opposite the back doors for those popping in for a quick browse.
Free parking is available from 5pm, Monday to Saturday, as well as free parking all day on Sundays.