Storm Bert warnings see Christmas lights switch-on cancelled

A planned shopping event in Bridgwater complete with lights switch-on and fireworks has become an early casualty of the forecast Storm Bert. The Met Office has said it expects the storm to bring "heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK through the weekend" and potentially cause travel disruption and flooding.

There is a yellow weather warning in place across the South West for rain between 6am and 11.45pm and for wind between 3pm and 9pm. Bridgwater Council has issued an urgent release about the need to make adjustments to the Snowflakes and Shopping event.

It said: "The market will be relocated from The High Street and Cornhill to Angel Place Shopping Centre and Bridgwater Town Hall, where there will still be over 40 stalls. Live entertainment will be reduced, with some performances taking place in Angel Place.

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"Unfortunately, the lights switch on, fireworks and squibbing have been cancelled due to safety concerns."

It said that the need for public safety in inclement conditions had steered its decision: "We take public safety very seriously and must adhere to event insurance and risk management obligations, these decisions are never taken lightly, but we must always put people’s safety first."

You can keep up to date with the latest news about the Snowflakes event at https://www.facebook.com/snowflakesBW/ or https://www.facebook.com/Bridgwaterfoodanddrink or https://www.facebook.com/sedgemoorfm

Bridgwater’s Christmas Lights will be illuminated from the evening of Monday, November 25. The Bridgwater History Day at the Bridgwater Arts centre and the Bridgwater Blake Museum Christmas Fair will still go ahead as planned on Saturday, November 23.