A WINTER tipi lodge full of free arts and crafts activities that all the family can enjoy over Christmas will pitch up in St Helens town centre.

Located on the former Chalon Way multistorey car park in Foundry Street – the tipi will form part of a ‘Christmas in St Helens’ campaign which has also seen an American-style drive in cinema and a synthetic ice rink set up on the canalside site.

A drive-in cinema is in place

A drive-in cinema is in place

Offering everything from macrame plant hanger workshops - a form of textile produced using knotting techniques - to how to write the perfect Christmas card with a calligraphy workshop, the tipi will launch on Saturday, November 27, the same day crowds are expected to turnout in their numbers for the St Helens Christmas lights switch-on event, to be headlined by comedy folk band, The Lancashire Hotpots.

The drive-in cinema

The drive-in cinema

Cllr Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: “We’ve seen how popular these attractions are in other towns and cities at this time of year so I’m delighted that we’re able to bring one to St Helens as we look to promote the town centre as a place where families can come and spend quality time together."

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Cllr Anthony Burns, cabinet member for wellbeing, culture and leisure, added: “This Christmas will see a packed line up of events and activities at this fantastic canal side location.

“We know that Christmas last year was difficult for many families so this year we want to make sure that festive cheer is all around the borough this year.”