COUNCIL PLEA TO GIVE THE TOWN 'SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO'

PARTNERSHIP HEAD TO INVESTIGATE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES BUT PROMISES 'NO FALSE HOPES' ON ANNUAL EVENT

ATHERSTONE was this week offered hope amid the humbug as the town battles to ensure the ghost of Covid-19 does not cancel Christmas 2020.

Councillors called on the Atherstone Partnership to look at "doing something for the town to look forward to" at the end of a year dominated by the deadly impact of the pandemic.

Partnership head Gary Chamberlain – a newly co-opted town councillor – said the organisation would aim to put at least "half" the annual two-day market event.

Replying to a heartfelt plea from Councillor Dawn Downes to "pull out all the stops", Cllr Chamberlain said he was in discussion with the borough council with the market initially looking like a non-starter due to lockdown restrictions.

He told the July meeting of the town council:"With things changing to a degree with social distancing and things set to change again in the very near future, I have asked for the hut people to be contacted to see what their situation is.

"Because, if they are looking for businesses, we may get favourable costs from them and it may be we need less funding to put the Christmas market on this year.

"I have said, let's see what we can do. Let's see what funding is available, and what we need to put half a Christmas market on – just to show we have something."

But he added: "I don't want to give people anyone false hope because it is very early days."

Traditionally, the town – with its rich heritage including the Shrovetide Atherstone Ball Game – celebrates the festive season in style.

Atherstone Partnership organises an annual two-day Christmas market – last year held on December 6 and 7 – which sees the square decked with Alpine chalets, lights, garlands and furniture.