Market Square to be Christmas Hub

Tuesday 30 October 2018

This year's Christmas Lights in the Market Square have only been made possible thanks to "generous funding" from the Market's owners, according to the Town Centre Partnership.

Earlier this month the TCP announced they had received planning permission for fixings and tension wires to help hang the lights, all of which have now been put up.

This was to accommodate the square being the new 2018 location for the giant Christmas Tree, which will focus Town's Christmas activities there, rather than in Church Square where it has previously been located.

Funding for the entire project came from McAulay Ltd, the managing company of the market building, according to the Executive Officer of the Town Centre Partnership, Jack Honeybill.

"We are extremely pleased to receive the generosity of McAulay to light this public space in the Town Centre. This will add to the area's atmosphere during the festive period and throughout the year."

The festoon lighting has interchangeable fittings to allow festive bulbs, icicles and stars to hang over the Market Square for the Christmas period. It can also be replaced with normal lighting during the year. 

Pictured: Centre, Jax Robin, Chairperson of the Christmas Lights Appeal. 

Separately from the market, the entirety of Town is also going to be lit up for December this year, as the Christmas Light Appeal successfully raised enough money. 

Previously, Jax Robin, Chairperson of the Christmas Lights Appeal, told Express they needed the £30,000 for the lights to put up and take them down, as well as paying the rent, insurance and testing which all takes place. 

Following 2017's fundraising drive, there was a surplus left over that was used this year to pay for repairs, storm damage and to buy any new lights needed.

It will take around six weeks for the lights to be put up, before they are switched on during the afternoon of Saturday 1 December in Market Square, where the large Christmas Tree will be located for the first time this year. 

Pictured top: the lights being put up in the square at the start of this month.