Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre cancelled but councils and groups join forces to host a series of festive events and initiatives over several weeks
Bury St Edmunds is set for a Christmas with a difference with a range of events and activities planned – despite the town’s annual fayre being cancelled.
Councils and organisations are joining forces for a number of ‘vibrant’ Covid-19 safe events and initiatives which will span several weeks from November.
Planning is in the early stages for the Christmas in Bury St Edmunds campaign but there will be a lights switch-on and organisations and businesses are being urged to put forward their events and ideas to be included in the programme.
Cllr Susan Glossop, portfolio holder for growth at West Suffolk Council, said they were ‘really excited to capture the community spirit which has been so ably demonstrated during the pandemic by local organisations’.
The authority will run an event in lieu of the four-day Christmas fayre, which has been cancelled to keep Covid-19 safe and the need to adapt if guidance changes.
The fayre, also called off last year due to the pandemic, attracts thousands of people.
The council will consider how other events can be organised to benefit all of West Suffolk.
Mark Cordell, chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District, said while the fayre cancellation was ‘disappointing’, they wanted to ensure businesses and communities ‘have the best Christmas they can this year’ and the campaign would complement their Bury Bouncing Back initiative.
Looking forward to a ‘new look to the Christmas offer’, the Very Rev Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, revealed they were organising a ‘unique experience’ with a specially planned event and traditional carol services.
With the arc shopping centre also involved, manager Steve Bunce said after ‘challenging recent times’ they were pleased to participate to provide ‘an appropriate Christmas atmosphere’.
The town council has long been involved in Christmas festivities and clerk Greg Luton said they were ‘delighted this vibrant plan is getting off the ground’.
Melanie Lesser, chair of Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, added they were keen to work with partners to ‘encourage visitors to the town over an extended festive period’.
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Read more: All the latest news from Bury St Edmunds