Heralded by a flotilla of inclusive flags mysteriously appearing on lamp posts and bright blue skies after an unpredictable week, Christmas in the Triangle proceeded confidently on December 20, raising the bar and attracting the largest crowds seen in recent years. Read our report & see our picture gallery.

 

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It was the most ambitious Christmas event yet, with a road closure from Bond Road to Cobden Avenue, a stage for entertainers, stalls outside many of the shops, tables in the road under marquees for eating, drinking and serendipitous neighbourly chats, and a programme running into the early evening.

 Crowds enjoy Christmas in the Triangle

As one of the organisers, William Smith from Little Hair Company and Compton’s Cocktails had said beforehand, “We really wanted to use it as a bit of a platform to also bring more trade to the Triangle”.

In that, among many other things, they certainly appeared to succeed: bars appeared very busy, food outlets including Soco Shack and Curry Lounge reported good business, and the musical programme and attractions for kids – including visits to Santa in a vintage car - seemed to go down a storm.

Ambitions to appeal to a wider age range were also met: with music, marquees and festive cheer, the Triangle set a benchmark for what a Christmas event could feel like.

 

Speaking outside her shop The Whimsical Kitchen at the close of the event, Jackie Neat, one of the organisers, said she thought it had gone really well.

“The road closure has made a massive difference … people are staying longer, and it’s nicer to see the families coming down and actually sitting - enjoying the day rather than ‘just passing through’.

“People have just relaxed more. It’s just felt like a real community event. And safer. It feels a lot safer.”

She said the organisation had been a lot of work, but that everyone had just “chipped in a bit”.

“Everyone’s helping… and I need to go and help them start taking down the marquees!”

Earlier in the day Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey (Lab) was queuing for coffee at SoRoast.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to see the Bitterne Park Triangle come alive,” he said.

“The street closure has made such a difference and it’s meant that people are sticking around, popping in and out of the businesses, enjoying each other’s company, hearing the choirs and seeing all the stalls that are out.

“So we’re really in the festive spirit… [it’s] really great to see and a fantastic effort to everyone who’s made this happen."

 Father Christmas drops by in a vintage car

The event was a partnership between traders, churches and the community. At the Old Chemist, church leader Conroy Williams said it was definitely the biggest Triangle Christmas event yet.

“It’s gone great hasn’t it?” he said, as the newly-revamped venue prepared to present evening entertainment.

“It’s great to see people out. We sold loads of hot chocolates here, we had the craft fair in – local crafters selling their wares, [and tonight] we’ve got Solent Gay Men’s Chorus coming in and leading us in a sing along.”

Sitting in the Old Chemist, former ward councillor and Lib Dem candidate Tony Bunday said he thought the Triangle event had been fantastic.

“I haven’t seen such a big crowd down here ever,” he said.

“Obviously a lot of people have put an awful lot of work into it. There’s some great advancements like the stage and the music up on there. The marquees made it weather-proof.

“We didn’t need them thankfully. But I think this is going to go from strength to strength isn’t it, Christmas in the Triangle?”