This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-29664319
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ipswich Christmas lights to be switched on 'in daylight' | Ipswich Christmas lights to be switched on 'in daylight' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A plan to switch on Ipswich's Christmas lights during the daytime has been criticised by the town's MP. | A plan to switch on Ipswich's Christmas lights during the daytime has been criticised by the town's MP. |
| Ben Gummer, Conservative MP for Ipswich, said: "Only in Ipswich could we have an alternative where you have a lights switch-on in broad daylight." | Ben Gummer, Conservative MP for Ipswich, said: "Only in Ipswich could we have an alternative where you have a lights switch-on in broad daylight." |
| The town is hosting a day of events on Sunday, 9 November in favour of a traditional night-time illumination. | The town is hosting a day of events on Sunday, 9 November in favour of a traditional night-time illumination. |
| The council said traders did not want to pay for an event which usually takes place after their shops closed. | The council said traders did not want to pay for an event which usually takes place after their shops closed. |
| In recent years, the grand switching-on ceremony has taken place in the early evening before a crowd of thousands of people on the Cornhill. | In recent years, the grand switching-on ceremony has taken place in the early evening before a crowd of thousands of people on the Cornhill. |
| 'Scrooge-like' | 'Scrooge-like' |
| Mr Gummer, MP for Ipswich, said: "The bill was being sent to Ipswich businesses and they said, as it happened after-hours, then they didn't see it providing any commercial advantage to them. | Mr Gummer, MP for Ipswich, said: "The bill was being sent to Ipswich businesses and they said, as it happened after-hours, then they didn't see it providing any commercial advantage to them. |
| "It is a civic moment when everyone gets excited and I think they're being a bit Scrooge-like." | "It is a civic moment when everyone gets excited and I think they're being a bit Scrooge-like." |
| The lights will be switched on from the Mayor's Parlour inside the town hall before 10:00 GMT followed by street fairs and entertainment. | The lights will be switched on from the Mayor's Parlour inside the town hall before 10:00 GMT followed by street fairs and entertainment. |
| Max Stocker, a spokesman for the Labour-run Ipswich Borough Council, said: "The set-piece countdown event has always attracted people, but over the last few years we've had to turn people away as there's limited space. | |
| "This year, we thought we'd put on a full day's entertainment and have the lights twinkling from early morning, so you can spread your day and have more fun throughout." | "This year, we thought we'd put on a full day's entertainment and have the lights twinkling from early morning, so you can spread your day and have more fun throughout." |
| George Debman, a Conservative councillor who runs a butcher's shop outside the town centre, said: "It's important to have a grand switch-on which creates the festive spirit. | George Debman, a Conservative councillor who runs a butcher's shop outside the town centre, said: "It's important to have a grand switch-on which creates the festive spirit. |
| "But it should take place on a midweek evening, in the dark, when there is late-night shopping." | "But it should take place on a midweek evening, in the dark, when there is late-night shopping." |
| Ipswich Central, which represents town centre shops and businesses, was not available for comment. | Ipswich Central, which represents town centre shops and businesses, was not available for comment. |