Decision details

The purpose of this report is to seek approval, following the COVID-19 pandemic, for an alternative proposal to recognise the switching on of Fareham’s Christmas lights in Fareham Town Centre.

Historically, each year Fareham Borough Council holds a large, public event in November to mark the switching on of the Christmas lights in the town centre.  The event is well received and attended by approximately 4,000 people, who see it as the start of Christmas.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, large scale public events are unable to take place, and therefore the normal event arrangements have been cancelled.

The festive lights will still be installed in the Town Centre as they are each year and will be switched on by the Mayor and Mayoress.  This will take place on Sunday 22 November at 4.30pm, albeit without the usual activities associated with Fareham’s usual Christmas light switch on event.

During the lead up to Christmas the Council would still like to support local businesses and encourage shoppers into the Town Centre, Fareham Shopping Centre, West Street and Fareham High Street.  Therefore, the proposal is that instead of the usual one-day large-scale event, a festive market will run for 3 consecutive days, from Friday 4 December to Sunday 6 December.

The festive market arrangements will ensure that social distancing and safety requirements are in accordance with Government guidance to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19, whilst still providing people with a reason to come into Fareham and support local businesses and traders.

To encourage people into the Town Centre, it is also proposed that free parking is made available in all Pay and Display car parks, from 12.00 noon until 6.00pm, on each day that the festive market is in situ, and when parking charges apply.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)     to an alternative proposal, as set out in the report, to recognise the

switching on of Fareham’s Christmas lights in Fareham Town Centre, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Government restrictions currently in place; and

(b)    to free parking between 12 noon and 6.00pm in the Pay and Display car parks within the Town Centre, on each day that the festive market is in situ, and when parking charges apply.