Once Upon A Winter Trail - new panto themed interactive window display trail opens in Sunderland

Sunderland’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) – which includes the City Centre and the Seafront BIDs – have created Once Upon A Winter Trail, where shop windows have been painted inspired by Sleeping Beauty, which is being performed at the city’s theatre.

Artist Danielle Stephenson of Del’s Doodles- who specialises in window art – was commissioned by the BIDS to create artwork on ten windows, each with a reference to the Empire’s seasonal show.

Visitors can follow the trail which starts at the Beacon of Light and ends at the Empire.

Along the way visitors can visit the Hilton Garden Inn, The Beam, Crave at High Street West, Angelo’s Ristorante, West Sunniside, Flowers By Jennifer and The Glass Onion in Blandford Street, Harrison & Brown at Holmeside, and Koji at High Street West to see the remaining paintings.

A map is available to help people follow the trail, with each window having its own QR code which can then be scanned and will take people to a page at Hits Radio, where they can enter their details to be in with a chance to win a prize.

The overall winner will receive the ultimate Sunderland Experience, including tickets for the pantomime, afternoon tea at The Grand Hotel and vouchers for bowling and golf, along with a Sunderland Gift Gard.

Roberta Redecke, Head of Business Services at Sunderland’s BIDs, believes anyone going to the pantomime will not want to miss the trail.

“With Sleeping Beauty just about to open it’s the perfect time to remind everyone about the trail and what a great experience it offers in the run-up to Christmas,” she said.

Sleeping Beauty opens at the Sunderland Empire on December 12 and runs until January 4, starring Call The Midwife’s Laura Main, Channel 5 Milkshake! Presenter David Ribi, and West End star, Jordan Lee Davies.

Copies of the map will be available from the participating businesses and on the Sunderland BID website, which also has information on a range of Christmas events.