Where was Rye’s Christmas spirit?

Not only were cheering seasonal refreshments in short supply but Rye’s traders seem to have a real aversion to opening a little later in the evening for special events.

It’s a shame that shops and businesses failed to play their part as a small dedicated team from the Chamber of Commerce, aided by Rye Studio School students made a massive effort to put on a special event, despite being hampered by flooding at Strand Quay.

There seems to be a culture among Rye’s traders of leaving all the hard-work to a handful of people.

They need more support and for more people to get involved and see that this is the for the good of the whole town.

Christmas is a time to make a good impression and if shops fail to do that they will be experiencing the negative hangover well into the new year and will only have themselves to blame.

Rye traders could do worse than take a trip to nearby Battle to see how shops make the most of the occasion with late opening, staff dressing up and seasonal cheer in plentiful supply.