THE LEADER of Bromsgrove District Council, Coun Karen May, is calling for an urgent review of the authority’s decision to cancel the town’s Christmas lights switch-on and says she is determined of finding a way of making it happen.
A health and safety review deemed that – due to its ever-increasing popularity and the amount of people attending – it would be safer not to hold the usual main stage event and just switch the lights on.
There was a massive public backlash from both residents and traders when the story was revealed on our website on Wednesday with hundreds of people reacting and commenting on our social media channels.
‘Bromsgrove’s best night of the year’
Residents took to Facebook in their droves saying the Christmas lights switch-on was ‘Bromsgrove’s best night of the year’ and ‘it was the only time the High Street was busy’.
One person said the council had ‘cancelled Christmas’ and another labelled the decision as ‘a kick in the teeth to traders and hospitality’.
Ingrid Hutton said: “Totally ridiculous. It’s such a pleasure to go to an event where the residents of Bromsgrove can get together and celebrate the start of Christmas.
“The atmosphere is great and it’s so nice to see the town buzzing.”
But today (Thursday), Coun May said she wanted the High Street event reconsidered and, with health and safety in mind, a ‘countdown’ to go ahead.
She said: “Like hundreds of people I look forward to this event each year and I recognise the economic benefits to our High Street which boasts many independents.
“I can assure residents, visitors and businesses alike that, whilst health and safety concerns are paramount, we recognise how loved this event is by so many people.
“Christmas is certainly not cancelled in our town centre but it will have to be done in a different format to what has traditionally happened.
“I feel we announced the fact there would be changes prematurely before finalising what the alternative would be.
“Rest assured myself and the Cabinet will be working with our officers to ensure a packed programme of festive fun will run alongside The Friends of St John’s Church Market on November 22.
“While a main stage may not be a part of those plans our High Street will, as always, be filled with music, entertainment and lots of Christmas cheer.
“I am hoping the official lights switch-on will happen that day too and I look forward to sharing the details with everyone as soon as possible.
“In the meantime please save the date – and I look forward to seeing you there.”
- What do you think? How do you think the countdown and switch-on could be done to make it safer? What would you like to see as Bromsgrove’s ‘official countdown to Christmas’? Email your views to: [email protected]
