Christmas in South Tyneside: Remembering the Christmas shops we loved as borough builds up for festive season

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While there are now just six weeks to wait until an exciting visit from Santa Claus, many would prefer to see the festive build-up firmly confined to the month of December (or indeed just the days before the 25th itself). But with so much to organise for the big day – from cards and presents to a delicious dinner and everyone’s favourite tipples on tap – many of us have to start with plenty of time to spare.
Whether you’ve grown up to be a savvy shopper or a “buy-it-all-at-the-last-minute” type of customer, most of us can agree that there was ONE shop from your younger days that summed up the magic and sparkle of the Christmas season.
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Hide AdAs South Tyneside families begin to get swept up in the excitement of the festive season, we asked about their Christmas preparations – and the one business in the borough that was always on their list for shopping.
The best Christmas shops from days gone by
Kerry Steele: “Tom's at Laygate, Binns and Woolworths.”
Angela Armstrong: “Darke’s the chemist in Frederick Street when I was little for Christmas presents, bath cubes and a soap on a rope that looked and smelled like a lemon. I must have been 7 or 8.”


Jimmy Campbell: “Allan's at Laygate.”
Gillian Gibson: “Binns and Fenwicks.”
Bev Forster: “T&G Allan’s.”
There were also lots of shout-outs for Binns, Rippon’s Toy Shop and Woolworths – very much missed and never forgotten.


How do you start your Christmas preparations?
Emma Herbertson: “Put the decorations up.”
Sue Venus Curtis: “Make lists upon lists of what I'm getting everyone.”
Pauline Metcalfe: “Make cakes.”


Jayne Ramsey: “Listen to The Pogues.”
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Hide AdMadeline Oley: “Buy chestnuts for the stuffing as they sell out quickly.”
However you and your loved ones prepare for the Christmas season, we hope you have a happy, safe and stress-fee build-up to December 25. South Shields will be lit up for Christmas from Wednesday, November 23 with switch-ons also happening in Jarrow on November 25, then Hebburn on November 28.