Panto dame helps launch late-night shopping
DAMIAN Williams, who plays the dame in this year's Christmas pantomime at Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre, took time out from rehearsals to take advantage of the city's late night shopping, which began yesterday.
Shops in the city centre are set to stay open every Wednesday until Christmas Eve and shoppers can also take advantage of free parking in council bays each Wednesday from 3pm onwards. Mr Williams, seen with Coun Roger Davison, who plays "Mrs Smee" in Peter Pan, said: "Late night shopping is a fantastic opportunity for people to get their presents after work and avoid the Christmas rush. It will bring the city centre alive in the evenings and perhaps after everyone has finished shopping they can come and laugh at me on stage." Coun Davison added: "Sheffield has a wide range of shops staying open late in the run-up to Christmas, and most of them are independents."