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Oct 2020

Last Updated: 07/10/2020

Business

Lights appeal will ensure that Pateley sparkles

by Tim Flanagan

| 07 Oct, 2020

The popular late night Christmas shopping event in Pateley Bridge has been cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis. But the High Street will be lit up more than ever this festive season.

Pateley Bridge at Christmas

Pateley Bridge may have lost its Christmas late night shopping event this year but the town has rallied round to ensure it will sparkle during the festive season.

The Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Councillor Mike Holt, was keen to highlight the efforts that have been made and to point out that Christmas in the town has not been cancelled.

Cllr Holt told the Stray Ferret:

"While the town council, along with traders is disappointed that the coronavirus crisis means we can't hold the late night shopping event in December, Pateley Bridge will not be missing out on the festivities."

He said the town had been forced to take a "longer-term view" because of the social distancing requirements caused by the coronavirus crisis. But organisations had pulled together. He added:

"Pateley Bridge High Street - which will have enhanced Christmas decorations - is alive and kicking, with new openings this year.

"A collective effort has seen the town council working alongside Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, Harrogate Borough Council and the local community and we will be in a better position than many other places."

Bakers back in Pateley Bridge High Street

National award for Nidderdale High School

Cllr Holt added:

"Christmas markets in Harrogate and Knaresborough have been cancelled because of restrictions on large-scale gatherings and earlier this year the highly-popular scarecrow trails across Nidderdale also had to be called off, for the same reason."

HBC will be providing two large Christmas trees and a successful Christmas lights appeal led by the Chandler family, who own the Spar Shop and the bakers Yorkshire Born & Bread, along with the owners of Dales Market Corner and and Park View Stores, has raised thousands of pounds.

The money will be used to maintain and improve the lights in the town.

In previous years the purchase, maintenance, erection and storage of the Christmas lights and displays, and the two large Christmas trees for the town, has been funded by HBC and Pateley Bridge Town Council, but financial cutbacks have meant that greater emphasis has been put on fundraising among local retailers and residents.

Cllr Holt said:

"The fact that we have been able to raise enough money to improve the lights this difficult, lockdown year speaks volumes for the people of Pateley Bridge."

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Lights appeal will ensure that Pateley sparkles

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