Leicestershire Christmas food and drink fair cancelled amid storm warning

Dylan Hayward

22 November 2024 at 8:05 am·2-min read

The event would have featured food and drink stalls — -Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)

A Leicestershire town's Christmas celebrations have been scaled back due to warnings of poor weather this weekend. The changes affect the three-day festive event planned for Market Harborough town centre.

Harborough District Council announced the three-day Christmas Food and Drink Fair, which was set to run from today (November 22) until Sunday (November 23) has been cancelled due to fears of snow, ice and strong winds that could blow market stalls over. The event would have featured food and drink stalls in The Square from 10am each day.

The decision comes as Storm Bert is set to bring severe weather conditions across the UK, with the Met Office issuing multiple weather warnings until Sunday. Forecasters expect 50-75mm of rainfall, with over 100mm possible over high ground in parts of Wales and southwest England.

The lights switch-on ceremony will still take place at 6.30pm on Saturday (November 23), with appearances from Frozen characters Elsa and Olaf, alongside music from local radio station HFM. The entertainment will be focused in The Square, though fire breathers and dancing acts have been cancelled due to the weather conditions.

Deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: "Storm Bert marks a shift to much milder air and wintry hazards will gradually diminish through the weekend, but heavy snowfall is expected across parts of northern England and Scotland for a time on Saturday, especially over higher ground."

A deep area of low pressure, which will bring impacts to large parts of the UK on Saturday and Sunday -Credit:Met Office

Previously planned road closures, including the bridge on Northampton Road, St Mary's Road at the junction of Adam and Eve Street, and the High Street-Coventry Road junction, have been cancelled. These closures will no longer be implemented during the event.

A spokesperson for Harborough District Council said: "The safety of our residents, traders and performers is our priority." The statement was issued alongside the announcement of the changes.

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