SOUTHEND is set to miss out on its Christmas lights switchon again this year - but bosses have promised an exciting programme of events to kickstart the season.
Southend Business Improvement District bosses say the 12 events of Christmas, announced earlier this year, will replace the event with plenty of festive fun.
The programme includes a light up Southend art trail, a walkabout character day, a youth festival and a carols sing-a-long.
A vintage Christmas flea and crafts market, animatronics and street theatre performances will also be part of the fun.
However, Joan Tiney, chair of the Southend Seafront Traders’ Association said: “It just doesn’t make sense they’re having lights but no official switch on event. Families used to come down to the seafront afterwards and we would get trade. I think families will be disappointed and find out too late it’s not on. They used to have one before Covid-19 and it’s what the families want.”
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Paul Thompson, owner of Pebbles One Cafe on the seafront said: “This is cancel culture taking over and there are now no Covid restrictions. I don’t think other traders will be happy about this as the switch on is good for businesses. Families will be disappointed and will be looking forward to this.”
Ashley Oglina-Beecham, from Southend BID said: “Following last year’s Covid-19 restrictions, we were eager to extend our festive offerings, overseeing a wider range of engaging events for the entire family.
“From the November 20 until Christmas, Southend High Street will be filled with festive events and activities that promise to cater for the entire community from our ‘Come As Yourself and Leave as an Elf ’ trail to street theatre, a fun digital selfie screen for social media lovers and much more, the high street will be buzzing with seasonal fun and excitement.
“I am particularly excited to be working alongside the Grosvenor Casino - they will be hosting Southend’s Shining Star VIP event, whereby we will celebrate a Southend’s Hero, someone with Southend in their DNA who’s done something incredible for the community, chosen by the publ
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