Christmas Problems: solved in a TICk!
What to get for Uncle Bob? What to do with Great Aunt Sue? Where to get that 'something special'? Entertaining guests and choosing presents for family and friends can be something of a challenge. Visitors to Winchester's ice rink and Christmas Market can find the solution at the city's award-winning Tourist Information Centre (TIC), where you can sort out your Christmas gift list as well as finding ideas for family entertainments and outings over the festive season.
Better known for its handy visitor information, guided walking tours and accommodation bookings, the TIC also has a great Christmas offering: calendars, videos and Winchester Teddy Bears - ideal for Winchester fans home or abroad - are always popular at this time of year. Also on sale are stocking fillers for adults and children alike: book marks, key rings, pens, fridge magnets and notebooks. The TIC also sells a superb selection of unbreakable light weight items, such as t-towels and mouse mats, ideal presents for friends and relatives living overseas. There are stamps on sale too, which saves time waiting in lengthy post office queues.
The TIC is located in Winchester Guildhall, seasonal home to the hugely popular Winchester Charity Christmas Card Shop. Run entirely by volunteers and representing numerous national and local charities, the shop is located in the Courtyard Café, which can be accessed through the TIC and is open from 10am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday. Cards are on sale until 16 December.
Winchester City Council's Tourist Information Centre Manager, Alison Woods said, "As well as being a one-stop shop for cards and presents, the TIC can also provide suggestions on local events and post-Christmas breaks elsewhere in Britain. Ask staff for a free copy of the Winter What's on in Winchester guide when you pop in to do your shopping. Also don't forget to pick up the new Speciality Shopping leaflet which will direct you to the great shopping opportunities in the city's secret streets such as The Square, Great and Little Minister Streets, St Thomas Street and Parchment Street."
The tourist information centre is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and can be contacted on: 01962 840 500 or e-mail: tourism@winchester.gov.uk or via the website at: www.visitwinchester.co.uk.