There will be a change to a Huntingdonshire town's Christmas Lights Switch On in 2024 as upgrades continue to close off parts of the centre.
St Neots residents and town councillors were left disappointed after it emerged that the town's usual Christmas Lights Switch On in the Market Square would not be going ahead this year.
Now, St Neots Town Council are rallying together to make sure that the town still has some festive celebrations.
On August 4, Cllr Katie Dundas-Todorov, the Chair of St Neots Town Council's Promotions and Events Committee, explained why the Market Square Switch On is not going ahead. She said: "Huntingdonshire District Council are unfortunately unable to guarantee that a sufficient area of the Market Square will be available to put on the usual Christmas lights switch on safely.
"The event takes months of planning and we had to make a decision whether or not to start booking things, in the knowledge that if the Market Square isn't ready, we would lose our deposits and be left with no event."
The council are hard at work coming up with solutions. Councillors have explored options including the Riverside Car Park, which unfortunately cannot be used due to safety reasons.
However, there is some festive cheer to look forward to. Cllr Dundas-Todorov said that there is a plan in place for a mini light switch on across St Neots on November 24. There is set to be one in Eynesbury, one in The Eatons and one in Loves Farm/Wintringham, as well as events throughout the festive period.
Cllr Sam Wakeford said “We are still on track to complete the Market Square improvements by early 2025 as planned. (Image: Huntingdonshire District Council)
Huntingdonshire District Council's Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing, Cllr Sam Wakeford, said: "We are still on track to complete the Market Square improvements by early 2025 as planned."
The Market Square upgrades in St Neots were estimated to take around 60 weeks to complete, which, they are on track to do.
It was previously reported in April 2024 that Huntingdonshire District Council hoped to have the work completed by Christmas, however issues with underground pipes halted this goal.
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Cllr Wakeford continued: "We have been working with St Neots Town Council (SNTC) to ensure that festive events can proceed over the Christmas period, despite the likelihood a section of the square will remain closed - which was always expected unless the works completed ahead of schedule."
St Neots Town Council are keen to hear resident's ideas for the 2024 Christmas Lights Switch On and will be sharing updates on the plans in due course.
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