DESPITE chilly weather, there was a festive buzz in Stroud this evening as the annual Goodwill Evening late-night shopping got underway.

Shops at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre and across town opened until 9pm with gift markets and delicious food and mulled wine at the Cornhill and the Shambles.

Due to lockdown, lantern packs could not be distributed before the evening so instead they were offered on a stall at the Cornhill Christmas gift market for a small donation.

Children’s fairground activities were available in Fawkes Place although there weren’t any large rides.

Stroud Town Council was keen to stress that the event was been thoroughly risk assessed and measures were in place to help with social distancing.