'˜Tis the season for food lover as Booths launches popular Christmas book

Booths has just launched its ever-popular Christmas book. DAVID NOWELL takes a look at what goes into it and the months of work behind the scenes.
Christmas launch at Booths in GarstangChristmas launch at Booths in Garstang
Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang

It is one of the most eagerly-awaited publications of the year for food lovers far and wide.

The Booths Christmas book means the festival season is nearly upon us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And now it has been launched on the hungry Lancashire public.

Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang.  Pictured is Conor Daunt from Dewlay Cheesemakers.Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang.  Pictured is Conor Daunt from Dewlay Cheesemakers.
Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang. Pictured is Conor Daunt from Dewlay Cheesemakers.

The lavishly-produced 163-page Great Northern Christmas is circulated throughout the country, both within the retailer’s stores and by post.

Last year, Preston-based Booths delivered its distinctive Northern Christmas to virtually every county in Britain.

Last year the retailer saw Christmas home delivery orders rise by 54 per cent 
nationwide and overall orders including click and collect in store orders rose by 11 per cent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last week Booths’ Garstang store was the venue for guests and store card holders to have a sneak preview of Booths’ annual Christmas book, now in its fourth year, which the firm uses to spread its message nationwide from its North West heartland.

Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang.  Pictured is Gemma Bleasdale.Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang.  Pictured is Gemma Bleasdale.
Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang. Pictured is Gemma Bleasdale.

Marketing director Julie Mills said: “Our teams literally start planning Christmas in about the second week of January.

“We review and collate customer feedback on what was popular and sold well that season, and set out to improve and make it better.

“It’s a true joint effort between our buyers, suppliers and marketing teams bringing the Great Northern Christmas to life. We work to find a 
balance of ‘traditional 
favourites’ and new lines from great regional suppliers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The book is a complex task that takes about seven months to pull together, source and photograph.”

Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang.  Pictured is Conor Daunt from Dewlay Cheesemakers.Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang.  Pictured is Conor Daunt from Dewlay Cheesemakers.
Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang. Pictured is Conor Daunt from Dewlay Cheesemakers.

She said contents ranged from tried and tested favourites to new creations.

And the latest trend from Denmark – the concept of ‘hygge’ which is all about relaxing and celebrating in the comfort of your home. “We are delighted to be able to offer people all around the country the opportunity to enjoy a slice of Northern comfort wherever they are in the UK,” she said.

Jonathan Roskell, Booths’ regional manager, said the company’s glossy Christmas book had become ‘a phenomenon’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “We have done four books now and people anticipate its publication.

Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang.  Pictured is Gemma Bleasdale.Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang.  Pictured is Gemma Bleasdale.
Christmas launch at Booths in Garstang. Pictured is Gemma Bleasdale.

“People have been asking in our stores about when it was coming out for months.

“It is our biggest single piece of marketing over the Christmas period but it represents fantastic value for money.”

The book is available free of charge to anyone to pick up in any Booths store.

Anyone from outside the region can order a book by ringing 0800 2218086 or email [email protected].