THERE will be festive music on the streets and traditional treats on offer as around 50 shops take part in the revived Ilkley late shopping night on Wednesday.

Many town centre businesses plan to stay open until 8.30pm and parking in the central South Hawksworth Street car park will be free from noon onwards.

The event has been organised by two businesses, Stewarts Lingerie on Grove Promenade and 5th Avenue on South Hawksworth Street, who are inviting local people to enjoy a relaxed shopping trip in their own area.

With the town’s Christmas lights already switched on, the organisers plan to add to the seasonal atmosphere with music and singing by local groups. Carol singers, school bands and the St Margaret’s Choir are expected to perform and a Salvation Army band from Keighley will be playing at the bandstand on The Grove.

Many of the businesses taking part are giving away seasonal treats to shoppers, such as mulled wine and chestnuts.

A wide variety of shops are expected to stay open late, including clothing retailers, a pet shop, book shop, hardware stores, gift shops and both independent retailers and chains.