Barnsley Christmas lights ​switch-on ​cancelled but 'exciting alternative' promised

Barnsley's annual Christmas​ switch-on ceremony has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Barnsley Bright Nights, which usually takes place at the Town Hall, will not go ahead in 2020 following the government's ban on more than six people meeting at a time.

The rules make it illegal for a crowd to gather at ​ switch-ons, if the policy is still in place by the end of the year.

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​​However, the lights will still take place this year and an 'exciting alternative' to the ceremony has been promised by the council.

Coun Tim Cheetham.Coun Tim Cheetham.
Coun Tim Cheetham.

Coun Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesperson for place at Barnsley Council, said: “Because of the current restrictions in place due to the pandemic, Barnsley Bright Nights featuring our Christmas lights switch-on won’t take place in its usual format this year.

"However, Christmas is by no means cancelled and we’re working on an exciting alternative that we’ll reveal more about in the coming weeks.”