Visitors to Burnham-On-Sea’s Christmas lights switch-on later this month will be able to park for free in the town centre in a bid to boost local trade, it has been announced this week.
Burnham’s Christmas lights are currently being installed across the town centre in readiness for the festive season, as pictured above.
Sedgemoor District Council has held talks with Burnham’s Chamber of Trade, which organises the Xmas lights switch-on, and it has agreed to lift charges at all Burnham’s car parks from 4pm on November 23rd for the day to encourage shoppers to visit the switch-on and support local traders.
BBC Somerset presenter Emma Britton, pictured, and Burnham’s World BMX cycling champion Liam Phillips will officially turn on the Christmas lights during the day of festive entertainment outside the Victoria Hotel in Victoria Street.
An outdoor Christmas market with festive food and craft traders will be held in Victoria Street from 10am.
And from 2.30pm, local choirs, dance groups and hand bell ringers will perform a line-up of festive-themed music and entertainment, leading up to the big switch-on at 4.45pm.
“It promises to be a superb event to mark the official start of Burnham’s Christmas shopping season and we are delighted to have both Liam and Emma lined up to light up the town centre this year,” said a Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade spokesman.
“We are grateful to Sedgemoor for providing free parking from 4pm and hope that it encourages visitors to come along to the switch-on and do some early Christmas shopping in the town.”
The BBC’s Emma Britton will be joining Liam Phillips in switching on the lights and the BBC bus will also be in the town centre all day. Ian Burrage will lead the entertainment. Burnham Lions and Burnham and Highbridge Town Council are also supporting the event.
Liam, right, produced a sensational performance to become the BMX world champion in New Zealand in July and he also represented Great Britain at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He is also a former pupil of Berrow School and King Alfred School.
The lights switch-on is one of several events being organised by Burnham’s Chamber of Trade to promote local business.
A late-night shopping evening is also being organised in Burnham town centre for Thursday December 5th when many shops will be open until 8pm and free entertainment will be available in the High Street.
Pictured (from top): Electrician Rob Davey and his team installing Burnham’s Christmas lights this week; the High Street illuminated last year; the BBC’s Emma Britton; and cyclist Liam Phillips
RELATED LINKS:
Burnham Chamber of Trade website
