Local businesses have joined forces to save the festive season after a Huntingdonshire town's Christmas lights switch-on was cancelled. 

Residents were left disappointed earlier this year when it emerged that St Neots' annual event in the Market Square would no longer be going ahead. 

St Neots Town Council said that ongoing improvements to the Market Square meant sufficient space to hold the switch-on could not be "guaranteed". 

The multi-million pound revamp began in January and is not due to be completed until early 2025. 

An artist's impression of what the Market Square will look like when completed. An artist's impression of what the Market Square will look like when completed. (Image: HDC)A series of localised mini gatherings around Christmas in trees in St Neots and surrounding areas will be held as well as smaller activities through December on the Market Square, the town council has confirmed. 

Ian McLachlan, managing director of Floored by Ian said he had been looking into a competition involving other local businesses to help "spread some Christmas cheer". 

The carpeting and flooring specialist, which opened on Market Square in 2008, launched the Big Christmas Free Giveaway with 3Nix Designs in September. 

Mr McLachlan told The Hunts Post: "We started the event because we knew there wasn't going to be a Christmas light switch-on in the town centre this year, so we wanted to do something to help spread some Christmas magic. 

"There has been a lot of negativity surrounding the Market Square in recent months. You only have to go and look on Facebook and we decided we just wanted to bring some positivity. 

"We got in touch with a few businesses and they got involved but it was a bit of slow burner to begin with and it didn't really take off. However, after a couple of weeks, word spread and more and more businesses got involved."

Mr McLachlan launched the Big Christmas Free Giveaway with 3Nix Designs in September. Mr McLachlan launched the Big Christmas Free Giveaway with 3Nix Designs in September.  (Image: FbI) Mr McLachlan revealed that more than 130 businesses have donated more than £10,000 worth of prizes that will be given away for free in a live draw at Eynesbury Rovers Football Club on December 8. 

More than 150 prizes are on offer, ranging from hampers to dog walks, tattoos to wine boxes and children's parties to garden maintenance.

Mr McLachlan said the response to the giveaway has been "fantastic" and claimed businesses wanted to be seen to positively contributing to the community in St Neots.

Prizes will be given away in a live draw at Eynesbury Rovers Football Club on December 8. Prizes will be given away in a live draw at Eynesbury Rovers Football Club on December 8.  (Image: Floored by Ian/3Nix Designs) He added: "For me, it's just great to see so many local businesses involved wanting to get their name out their and doing something positive for the community. 

"There's a really good community spirit among the businesses here and the event will really help to get their names in the public domain, so it's very much a two-way street. 

"The response has been phenomenal and I've got to thank Laura O'Dell of 3Nix Designs who has single-handedly designed vouchers for people and responded to every single person who got in contact - she's done a terrific job."

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