New Victoria Centre experience set to light up Christmas

Nottingham’s Victoria Centre is preparing to spread some festive cheer as it reveals plans for a new immersive light experience this Christmas, brought to life by a local children’s author.

Following the success of this summer’s Roller Room, the centre is gearing up to launch the Glow Room, a free narrated light experience that will take guests through a magical winter forest, filled with more than 30,000 LED lights.

Visitors will be treated to a visual light performance, which tells a new Christmas story, specially created by local author, Jamie Croshaw, whose debut children’s book, Meet Crumb!, was published in 2018.

The tale features a shy little bird called Robin who, with the help of Victoria the pixie, attempts to regain his confidence and find his singing voice, spreading Christmas cheer to the people of Nottingham.

Open daily from 11am between 10 December to 9 January, the free event will once again offer people the chance to make a voluntary donation to Victoria Centre’s charity of the year, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. Back in the summer, over £4,500 was raised by those pulling on their skates at the Roller Room to help support the vital work of Rainbows.

Commenting on the new experience, Nigel Wheatley, centre director at Victoria Centre, said “This is our most ambitious Christmas experience yet. Restrictions last year meant Christmas was significantly scaled back so we wanted our 2021 experience to capture the true essence of the season and create something truly magical.

“The Glow room is a real sensory experience and we’re proud to have partnered with a local talent like Jamie.

“We want to play a part in making this Christmas one to remember, while also supporting charity, Rainbows. We’re looking forward to seeing people taking a break from Christmas shopping and enjoying this unique spectacle when it arrives in the centre.

“In line with the latest Government guidance, we’re encouraging those visiting the centre and the Glow Room to wear face coverings, unless they are exempt. We’re also limiting our bookings for each session, and hand sanitiser stations will continue to be available throughout the centre and inside the experience.”

Jamie, added, “To team up with Victoria Centre on this project was great fun and really exciting. Nottingham is a very special place, so it was a privilege to blend a little Christmas magic and festive cheer into a story based so close to home.

“I can’t wait to see the experience come to life with the visual light show and visit with my own girls.”

Performances will take place every half hour from 11am, with visitors being advised to pre-book via the Victoria Centre website https://victoria-centre.com/events/glow.

For further information, including how to book online, visit www.victoria-centre.com or follow Victoria Centre’s social media channels, Facebook, Instagram andTwitter.

Nottingham Local News