Ease Grimm times, visit city gingerbread house
A GINGERBREAD house appeared overnight in Cardiff city centre.
With scented smoke billowing from the chimney, decorations of icing, candy canes and sweets, the gingerbread house has been set up outside Cardiff Central library.
Special prize giveaways and a programme of festive entertainment will take place at the house every Thursday to Sunday between 1pm and 2pm, starting from today.
It is all part of a drive to encourage more visitors to the city over the Christmas period.
And it is not just about getting more people into the city centre, visitors will be asked to make a donation to help reduce homelessness in Cardiff through Give DIFFerently.
Interactive donation points have been installed on the windows of the house, created by the people behind the Ball in the Wall, Wild Creations.
Members of the public can simply tap their phone on the window or scan a QR code to make an online donation to the fund, which launched earlier this year.
Adrian Field, executive director of FOR Cardiff, which has worked on the #GingerbreadMun campaign with Visit Cardiff, said: “Our remit at FOR Cardiff is to make Cardiff a welcoming and vibrant place for everyone and Christmas is certainly the busiest time of year for the city.”
He added: “We want people to visit the #GingerbreadMun House to take in the festive atmosphere and support the high street this Christmas, including independent traders.
“It’s also important to remember that it’s the most difficult time of year for homeless people sleeping rough in the capital, which is why we’ve added the contactless donation points.
“We really hope visitors love it as much as we do.”