Christmas lights 'shambles' in Scots town as display fails to switch on TWICE

Festive revellers were not exactly tripping the light fantastic in East Kilbride last night as the town's Christmas light switch-on was branded a "shambles".

Hosts of the council-run event were left red-faced when the full light display failed to come on not once, but twice following the big countdown, leaving families disappointed.

Health and safety concerns were also raised after hundreds of people flocked to the cobbled streets of East Kilbride Village for the annual spectacle with folk complaining they were "packed in like sardines".

Returning for a second year, MacBusted, the UK's official number one tribute to McFly and Busted, performed chart hits from the pop rock supergroup.

There were also interactive family games, kids characters and street entertainers, and Santa Claus and Elfie were on hosting duties with Ali Wright from Clyde 1.

Disgruntled locals took to social media to complain about the "embarrassing" and "underwhelming" Christmas event.

One resident said: "What a shambles the Village light switch on was tonight. Packed in like sardines that you could not see anything. The prices of things was ridiculous. No Christmas tree in sight and to top it off only half the lights worked. I don't understand why a town our size can't compete with others in South Lanarkshire."

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A woman posted: "What a farce the council should be ashamed. The good people of East Kilbride came out tonight to celebrate the start of Xmas, all they got was an area too small to accommodate everybody. Not enough rides for the children, couldn't see a thing on stage... Lets for next year close off the whole Village, get some more entertainment and stalls and make it something the East Kilbride people can be proud of."

Another resident said: "Think they should do a one way system or something, could barely get past anyone and the lights were a total joke... very underwhelming."

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One wrote: "While the towns at least have a Christmas tree, the EK event is at its lowest budget almost like getting ignored shamelessly. No parade... seems like the council has its priority set elsewhere."

Blaming South Lanarkshire Council (SLC), one local said: "SLC have little regard for EK. The town is in a continually downward spiral. Little next to nothing for the kids to enjoy and the things that are organised are cheap and little thought given to them."

However resident Fiona MacFarlane, who filmed the countdown fail, said people are just too quick to complain these days.

"Folk just like to moan about things", she said.

"The entertainment was good, atmosphere was great, there was just an issue with the fairy lights which will get sorted. In the grand scheme of things and with everything else going on in the world, some lights not coming on and folk being enraged about it is a prime example of first world problems."

South Lanarkshire Council claimed a “fake” countdown was used to build atmosphere and anticipation.

David Booth, the council's Executive Director of Community and Enterprise Resources, said: “In line with usual practice, checks were carried out in advance to ensure the lights were working ahead of the switch on event at East Kilbride Village.

“Unfortunately, some cabling between columns appears to have been damaged following those checks. The issue was resolved late last night, and the lights are now working.

“We apologise to anyone who was disappointed, but the circumstances were beyond our control. We hope that those in attendance were able to enjoy the performances and the atmosphere created by the event.

“The same space has been used successfully for the switch on of the lights for a number of years, but last night’s event was more popular than ever, and we will review the location for future events.”

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