Local shop spreads Christmas cheer with festive video

A STRABANE shop is helping to spread a little festive cheer this Christmas with the release of a heartwarming video celebrating the local business community and the importance of shopping local.

Gormley Shoes, located on Main Street, released the short video entitled 'The Lost List' at the end of last month.

The two-minute-and-15-second video centres on a young boy’s Christmas wish list which is accidentally lost and makes its way through the town, passing from one kind stranger to another, each helping to make his wish of doing something special for his mother come true, highlighting the goodwill and warmth of the season.

The team at Gormley Shoes spent three weeks compiling the video, turning a simple idea into something very special.

"This is not Hollywood," a post on the shop's Facebook page accompanying the video said.

"It’s not John Lewis. There wasn’t a single meeting in a glass box in London about this.

"Big companies have agencies, studios, big budgets and whole floors of people in big cities figuring out how to make you cry at Christmas.

"We had a beat up old laptop, a three-year-old Android phone, a temperamental Wi-Fi signal, a few late night glasses of wine and the odd dram for courage.

"It’s a 2 minute 15 second Christmas short made between serving customers, unpacking boxes and trying to keep the lights on - written, drawn and stitched together right here above and behind Gormley Shoes in Strabane.

"No agency. No Soho edit suite. No London boardroom telling us what “the demographic” wants.

"Just a tiny team, some very patient technology, and a story about a lost letter, a kind dog, a few good neighbours and something warm for mum.

"We really hope The Lost List makes you feel something."

The video has certainly resonated.

Since being posted The Lost List has been viewed thousands of times on social media with messages of praise continuing to pour in.

Underpinning the importance of supporting independent retailers, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, the film also incorporates many of Strabane's small businesses.

"Thank you for backing small local shops," Gormley Shoes added. "Thank you for cheering on the underdogs.

"The Lost List was our way of celebrating kindness, connection and the magic of Main Street at Christmas.

"We're grateful to everyone who's watched, shared and supported our little film - your encouragement means the world to us.

"Thank you for being part of our story.

"And who knows... maybe there's more magic to come."

If you haven't viewed the video yet, log onto Facebook and search Gormley Shoes.