Opinion: MyMirfield’s Richard Hartley on upcoming Mirfield events

The next day witnesses one of the most impressive and reflective displays with the Remembrance Day Parade – which will be even more poignant with it being the centenary year of World War One. The parade – one of the largest outside London – will walk along Huddersfield Road to the wreath-laying service at the war memorial in Ings Grove Park.

During the following week, expect to see the high street transform as Christmas window displays appear. This is one of the most critical periods for traders and businesses, and a time when, hopefully for them, a good proportion of the festive spend is spent locally.

To maximise this, the businesses need to combine to give people a bigger reason for more people to stay and visit, rather than competing for the same pound. Imagine a big dome over Mirfield from the fire station to the council offices – and inside a shopping mall of Christmas lights, gift shops, cards, chocolates, toys, shoes, decorations, clothing, watches, and more – all under one ‘roof’ working together.

OK, you can’t buy everything in Mirfield – but Mirfield has much more than many people think. The retailers need to showcase themselves more, but we need to visit more to see what is on offer.

The month concludes with the big Christmas light switch on – and we urge the high street again to throw open their doors, adopt the festive spirit, welcome people with food and drink, and grab the opportunity to encourage more people to buy their Christmas gifts and make pre-Christmas orders – locally.

With even more events planned for lead up to Christmas, this is going to be a time when more than the Christmas lights shine in Mirfield.