With the spirit of Hastings Past and a wonderful collection of unique, independent businesses, Hastings Old Town makes for unhurried, happy Christmas shopping. There are some fabulous new shops and restaurants to browse, so read on for some ideas of how to fill your stockings this Christmas!

Over the past couple of years, the Old Town has seen a flurry of new shops, cafes, restaurants and b&bs opening their doors to an enthusiastic local public. The High Street and George Street have smartened up their appearance considerably with the new arrivals, and are reclaiming their rightful place as thriving high streets. Rather than giving way to residential conversions that so often see the death of an old town centre, original shopfronts are undergoing something of a renaissance.

There’s lots to celebrate this Christmas: late night opening in the High Street on Friday 30th November, until 9pm. And on Saturday 1st December, there will be an Old Town High Street Christmas Market, from 11am to 6pm. The entire High Street will be closed to traffic and there will be stalls down the whole road. There will be live music, carol singers,
processions, hot chestnuts and lots of other attractions - period dress is encouraged! .

Read on for a wealth of ideas on Christmas shopping in the Old Town...

Esplanade  A lovely safe haven from the madness of Christmas shopping, Esplanade is a friendly family business run by Jon, Sally, Les and Lucy. There are patio heaters outside for chilly winter days, and inside it’s cosy and relaxing. It feels continental: you can order coffee and cake, a bottle of wine with a platter of cheese or salami, whatever tipple you fancy from the bar, or you can settle in the corner at lunchtime for a warming dish of Irish stew served in Yorkshire pudding for just £4.95. Read the paper with a cup of tea or enjoy an evening meal with friends: you’ll be made welcome. “Our customers can have what they want – as long as we’ve got it!” says Jon. So if you need some time-out, reward yourself with a break here. 3 George St - 01424 716 752 Open from 10.30am

Flibbertigibbet  Another brilliant place to shop for novelty items for Christmas, especially for children. If you like scented candles, you must sniff out the wide range of Yankee Candles: vanilla cupcake to pomegranate cider and everything in between. From 89p, they make great stocking fillers. There’s an entire zoo of Russ soft toys: teddy bears, dogs, cats, squirrels, dinosaurs and even a puffin! Shop owner Lynette, says "We get lots of local custom for Christmas down George Street, because people want something different from the usual high street stores.” And the most novel Christmas present here? Buy a real star in the galaxy for just £12.99! What amazing value. Purchase a soft toy by Russ and register your own star under any name you choose. A two-in-one affordable present for kids.
At 46 George St. Open 6 days, closed Wednesday. Weekdays 10-5pm, weekends 10.30-5.30pm. t:01424 200105

Huldrick   Local artist Huldrick has lived in Hastings for almost 50 years and has had his Studio & Gallery for three years. “I have a particular passion for Hastings,” he says. He began his art career as a technical illustrator but now paints subjects in and around Hastings, including the old town, net-shops, fishing boats, landscapes and coastal scenes. In the gallery you will find Huldrick’s popular range of limited edition prints taken from his distinctive pen & ink watercolours. A perfect gift idea, prices start from £25 for a mounted print. There are also many originals plus Christmas card designs. Huldrick also takes commissions. So if you have that picture in your mind you can¹t find anywhere give him a call! At 29 George Street. Open Sat 11-5pm; Sun 12-4; Tues-Fri 2-5pm. T: 01424 425786  www.huldrick.com

Leigh Gallery  Musataro and Michael brought the Leigh Gallery to Hastings six years ago, after 20 years in London. There are some really beautiful works of art here, mostly ceramics and glass, all one-off unique pieces. If you know someone who’s passionate about the sea, have a look at Lesley Clark’s tactile glass vases titled ‘The Sea’, in flowing shapes and swirls of blue and white. There are porcelain crackle-glaze bowls by David White, figurative work by Marie Prett, glass from Sanders and Wallace, prices from £30-£100. It’s a great place to buy a wedding present, or a leaving gift for a work colleague. “And a wonderful place for a collector to start,” says Michael. You can check out the entire collection online and either purchase over the internet, or pop in and see it in the flesh. flexible opening, but always open on Saturdays. Good idea to look online and call if you want to visit. At 77High St, t: 01424 434 090; www.leighgallery.co.uk

Lilac Room  It’s Christmas shopping heaven in here! If you find yourself en famile, seeking a present for your sister/mother-in-law/grandma/aunt, pop into the Lilac Room. It’s full of exquisite buys, mostly for women: Noa Noa clothing, True Grace candles, elegant slippers, gorgeous bags, wonderful costume jewellery, powder compacts, the prettiest cosmetic bags, quilts, socks to be proud of… so much, it’s impossible to give a full picture, you’ll have to check it out yourself. And, importantly, not only is there a comfy sofa to collapse on with a pile of mags (take note, men!), there’s also a basket of toys to keep the kids happy while you spend your time gasping in delight at all the possibilities for Christmas shopping… for yourself!
At 8 George St. t: 01424 444 414

Made in Hastings  Made in Hastings is launching their range of Christmas gifts at Late Night Opening on 30th November. This all-girl team of six artists and makers produce their own unique products, including pottery, painting, knit-wear, jewellery, textiles and more. Fresh back from the Country Living fair in London, Made will be inviting you in to browse their unusual Christmas cards and decorations, fairies, tambourines, goods for the kitchen, lamp shades, t-shirts, children’s toys and all sorts of stocking fillers, plus the stockings! You’ll find lots of one-off presents to buy in here, particularly good for the person who has everything, but there are plenty of functional items, too.
At 82 High Street. Open 10.30-5pm, 7 days. t: 01424 719 110

Pomegranate  If you want to take the hassle out of Christmas lunch, why not let Pomegranate cook it for you? What better and more relaxing way to enjoy the biggest feast of the year. All generations welcome to celebrate around the table – and no arguments about who’s clearing up! This is a lovely, relaxed family restaurant serving delicious, local produce, and with daily fish straight from the Four Brothers' boat at the Stade, Pomegranate is a first choice for sampling the abundance of our Hastings fleet (look out for own-smoked fish in the New Year!) Enjoy the Christmas menu from 23rd November at £26 per person - a great place to get together with friends or celebrate with work-mates. Christmas Day lunch at £55 per person and £25 under 12s. See p6 for menu. 50 George Street, t: 01424 429 221 for reservations.

Roomings  Check out Roomings for opulence without extravagant prices this Christmas. There’s a great selection of tailor-made, classically designed furniture here, but also an excellent choice of furnishings that make wonderful Christmas presents. The bed linen is best quality pure cotton and there are cushions galore at tempting prices (£25.99 for a very pretty needlepoint pattern). If you want to buy something for the home, be it a mirror, some curtains with luxury tie-backs, a down duvet, crockery, candle sticks, soft toys, lamps… there’s a wide selection of goods. There are also Christmas decorations, natural pot-pouri and giant cinnamon sticks to make your home smell delicious while you celebrate. You can also purchase online.
At 72 George Street,  t: 0870 350 0204  e: sales@roomings.co.uk  www.roomings.co.uk

Stan’s Old Gallery  Andrew and Cherie took over the gallery from Stan Rosenthal 19 months ago and have expanded the range of art to include plenty of local artists. There are so many recognisable scenes from Hastings on the walls here that this is a great place to seek out a Christmas gift for a local friends or family – you might even find their favourite view in a frame. It’s worth popping in just to look at the unusual jewellery and ceramics, too. There’s art by Stan himself, Helen Evans, Nicky Taylor’s caricatures (she takes commissions), and many cards by local artists too. Owner Andrew Dennis rediscovered painting six months ago and now his works are on sale too. Cherie is a Morris dancer and both play folk music at Old Town gigs. “We love working and living here; it’s so friendly and everyone who comes in stops to chat.”
At 57 George Street, open Thurs-Sunday 11am-5.30pm t: 01424 443025

Swan House  Recently described by the National press as “A hidden jewel in Hastings Old Town” (Guardian) and as having “redefined the b&b experience” (Telegraph), Swan House is a local delight. If you have family or friends visiting around Christmas, I couldn’t think of a better place to recommend they stay. This year, Swan House won the 1066 Enterprise Award for Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure. In medieval surrounds, contemporary luxury abounds. An enormous inglenook fireplace is flanked by big, squashy sofas, perfect after a hard day’s fun, or Christmas shopping. How about giving vouchers for a stay here as a Christmas present? Pop in to check it out first – you won’t be disappointed.  Prices £90-£125 per room, per night. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 1 Hill Street (opposite St Clements Church) t: 01424 430014  www.swanhousehastings.co.uk