CROWDS flock to Newcastle every winter to see Fenwick's famous Christmas window but few saw the display in person today after an online reveal last night.
Northumberland Street stood bare at lunchtime today, with just a handful of people coming into Newcastle town city centre to enjoy department store Fenwick's Wind in the Willows-themed Christmas window.
Fenwick's window draws in thousands each year but over 250,000 people around the world watched as it was unveiled online last night, November 8, deterring people from turning up in person amid the Covid pandemic.
Last night's film featured a host of festive surprises including dancing elves, Santa himself on the Fenwick store roof top and a nostalgic look back through the extensive Fenwick Christmas window archive.
One couple, who were at the window at lunchtime today with a two-year-old, said watching the window on Facebook Live spurred them on to visit it today. While they travelled specifically to visit the window, they live in Newcastle.
Many shoppers also stopped to look and took videos of the display.
Visiting Fenwick's window is an annual tradition for many North-East families but the department store has asked people not to make a special trip to see the window, which will be live until January.
For those that do visit it this year, there is a hand sanitiser station and department store staff monitoring the queue.
Previous years have seen The Snowman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Paddington Bear light up Northumberland street, with loud festive music and fake snow blowing through crowds.
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