SUNDERLAND’S late night shoppers are guaranteed the time of their lives this Thursday (January 29) as the city centre goes Dirty Dancing crazy.
Throughout January the Bridges shopping centre has hosted a range of different events, to coincide with Thursday late night shopping and to highlight that the city centre is a great spot to visit after hours.
Organised by Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID), this week’s entertainment will recreate one of the favourite musicals of all time – Dirty Dancing.
Regional dance organisation, Dance City, will be giving the shoppers the opportunity to try out some of the film’s routines, while Sunderland-based group Dance Jam will be performing to one of the movie’s best-loved songs.
The event – which runs from 6pm to 8pm – will include the Dirty Dancing soundtrack played throughout the evening, allowing shoppers to channel their inner Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
Late night shopping on Thursday evenings is now a regular feature on the Sunderland calendar, with the added incentive of free parking from 5.30pm until 9pm in the Bridges’ car parks and in council car parks from 3pm.
The aim is also to encourage people to stay in the city later in the evenings, to enjoy the bars, restaurants and clubs available.
“There are a number of new restaurants and bars opened across Sunderland, complementing those more established pubs and eateries,” said Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID.
“This makes the city a great place to make a night of it, particularly on Thursdays when visitors can shop until late and then enjoy everything else that Sunderland has to offer.”
Andy Bradley, Centre Director at the Bridges said the events programme has been proving very popular.
“Shoppers are really embracing the late night Thursdays and are realising how convenient it is to shop after work, without having to rush,” he said.
“We think the fantastic entertainment this week is going to be extremely popular as Dirty Dancing has so many fans.
“We’re hoping lots of people will come along and join in the fun.”