Newbury's 'first-ever TV advert' released across Sky TV and Virgin Media amid Christmas marketing blitz

A not-for-profit organisation promoting Newbury businesses has released the town's first ever TV advert, encouraging visitors over the festive season.

The launch comes as part of a new marketing package, '12 Days of Newbury', which sets out to champion the town as a shopping and tourism destination for the holiday period.

Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) is overseeing the campaign, and the Christmas ad was put out across Sky TV and Virgin Media channels on October 19.

The ad is targeted at audiences living within an hour-and-a-half of Newbury, especially those in major towns like Reading and Swindon.

It can be viewed on the dedicated 12 Days of Newbury website.

The overall campaign – which also includes adverts on a double-sided digital billboard outside Reading train station – has been funded by a grant of £38,000 from West Berkshire Council, itself derived from the European Union's 'Welcome Back' fund.

This provides targeted funding to boost business in select areas across the UK and Europe.

Newbury BID marketing manager Kirsty Lemberger said: "We are delighted to receive funds for this strand of the project, as this will really help us put Newbury on the map as a Christmas destination.

"The aim is to grow the town’s reputation and Christmas events so visitors return year on year.

"Drawing in this level of footfall in December will be hugely beneficial to Newbury’s retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses, including hotels.

"The campaign will also promote the activities delivered at Christmas by key local organisations such as the Corn Exchange, Newbury Racecourse and Parkway, and we are working in partnership with their teams on this project.

"It has also been a pleasure to work in partnership with local creative and digital marketing agency, Fusion Group, whose team devised and brought to life the ‘12 Days of Newbury’ concept."