THERE are big plans for the event that will mark the start of the Christmas shopping season for traders in Ludlow.

Hard pressed shops in the town are waiting to discover the outcome of a review of business rates.

They have been told that following visits from inspectors a decision will be made in the autumn.

Shops in the town are also facing an uncertain future following the approval of a plan for a new out of town supermarket on the outskirts of the town.

But the immediate priority is to maximise business in the run up to Christmas that is a make or break time for some shops.

In past years a regular feature has been ‘Tinsel Tuesday’ sales events. These take place in the town centre on the three Tuesdays in the run up to Christmas.

But the traditional start of the key sales period is the Medieval Fayre that includes the switch-on of the Christmas lights and takes place on the final Saturday in November.

This year the organisers are promising that the Medieval Fayre over the weekend of Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26 will be bigger and better than ever.

For the two whole days, the Castle and its grounds are transformed into a fun festival for all the family with a packed programme of entertainment, more than 100 stall holders and a chance to mingle with medieval jesters and musicians!

On the Saturday night the Fayre will throw open their gates for a special late night opening until 9pm.

There will be a chance to join carol-singers under a starry sky for a torch-lit evening of medieval revels.

The centre of Ludlow will be illuminated by tress throughout the Christmas period.

Ludlow Town Council has its own tress and there is also a tree that is put in the main square by the Ludlow Rotary Club and this enables people to buy a light in memory of a loved on over the Christmas holiday period. Money raised is used by Rotarians to support charities in the Ludlow and south Shropshire area.