THE official countdown to Christmas will be starting one week earlier than normal in Wellington this year.

The change comes following traders’ requests to switch-on the Christmas lights seven days earlier than usual – a move supported by Wellington Town Centre Working Group.

The lights were officially switched-on on December 2 last year as it was the start of Advent and was relevant to the Christmas period. It also coincided with the start of the four free Saturday car parking dates.

But the working group heard that if the switch-on was a week earlier on November 24 it would give traders a longer lead-in time to the Christmas shopping period and coincide with other festive events in surrounding towns.

A report said: “The point was made that the Christmas lights had been enhanced last year and Wellington Town Council had invested a great deal of its funds in them.

“It seemed a good idea therefore that they should be on display for as long a period as possible.”

The report added: “The working group had been formed to enhance the town centre and to do what it could to support local traders.

“It felt very strongly that in order to put matters on a par with other competitors in the area the opportunity should be taken to switch-on the lights on November 24.”

The move to switch-on the Christmas lights a week earlier than normal divided opinion among members of Wellington Town Council at their monthly meeting.

WHAT do you think? Is it right that the Christmas lights switch-on is moved a week earlier? Let the WWN know – write to Wellington Weekly News, 26 High Street, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8RA or email [email protected]

For the full story, see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.