Virtual Christmas light switch-on brings town 'out of darkness of Covid'
The wonderfully festive lighting at Great Yarmouth Market Place - Credit: Mark Symonds
A Norfolk coastal town has refused to miss out on Christmas this year - and staged a "virtual light switch-on" to bring people "out of the darkness of Covid".
Great Yarmouth Borough Council's virtual switch on at 7pm on Friday showcased "beautiful displays" across the town centre and seafront, Hemsby's Beach Road and Gorleston High Street and seafront.
The message behind the spectacle is unequivocal: the borough, despite facing tier two restrictions, is very much open for business. It is welcoming shoppers and visitors with open arms.
Council leader Carl Smith said the "amazing but safe spectacle" would brighten up the darkest months of the year - especially at such a challenging time for the borough.
He said: “Out of the darkness of Covid, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Hemsby are again lighting up to welcome shoppers and visitors this winter season to support our local businesses into recovery.
"Everyone should come experience the spectacle for themselves, and back local traders."
The lights mark the start of "See Great Yarmouth in a Different Light" - a winter campaign of activities organised by the town's tourism partnership and the council.
In Great Yarmouth, the display stretches from Great Yarmouth Minster through Market Row, the Market Place, King Street, St George’s Park and the seafront.
Most Read
- 1 Hunted winner reveals show secrets in Instagram diary
- 2 Football club fined and chairman suspended over FA breaches
- 3 'Sold as seen' - two-bed house gutted by fire goes on the market
- 4 Multiple fire crews tackle overnight blaze in Norfolk home
- 5 Quaint Caister cottage fixer-upper goes under the hammer
- 6 'Handful' of people kicked out of Norfolk cinema amid Minions TikTok craze
- 7 Lifeboat crew rescues woman from Great Yarmouth river
- 8 Plea as ducklings routinely snatched by killer seagulls
- 9 Pleasure Beach running locals evening with discount for NR postcodes
- 10 Mural in Great Yarmouth celebrating Queen's jubilee is defaced
In the Market Place, people can walk through a 20-metre-long multi-colour Tunnel of Light, open noon until late every day.
Over in Gorleston, there is new lighting along the High Street and seafront bandstand.
For the first time ever, Hemsby’s Beach Road is also being lit up, with lighting braids around the street lighting columns.
According to the council, further "bespoke displays" will be installed before Christmas in all three destinations, including a wind turbine theme strung along Regent Road.
Town centre manager Jonathan Newman said the displays were "wonderful to see".
"It is going to be a shorter run-up to Christmas for many shops and businesses this year, but I would urge everyone to get out there and enjoy the festive atmosphere", he said.