BUSINESSES in Bradford on Avon town centre are to each be supplied with a free Christmas trees to help spread a little festive cheer.

The offer - which could cost up to £2,500 - has already been accepted by some retailers.

It comes from Bradford on Avon Town Council which is unable to switch on its annual Christmas lights display with a lot of fanfare this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on large public gatherings.

Instead, town mayor Cllr Simon McNeill-Ritchie says the lights will be switched on in a low-key event on Friday, November 27.

In a message to residents, he urged them to shop locally this year and take advantage of discounts being offered by the town’s retailers.

He said: “With the unprecedented and continuing events of this year, the town council is having to rethink the way we run the traditional Christmas lights celebrations.

“Specifically, we need to balance the natural desire of our residents to celebrate the holiday period, and the importance to local businesses of attracting customers, with our responsibility for ensuring public safety as far as possible.

“Firstly, rather than holding an event, the annual Christmas lights switch-on will take place, without fanfare, automatically at dusk on Friday, 27 November.

“Instead, to bring a little Christmas cheer to the end of what has been a difficult year, the town council will cover the cost of the supply and installation of one tree to each business in the town centre.

“In addition, the town council will host a Festive Fair in Westbury Garden on November 28, Small Business Saturday, to encourage more people into the town and to shop local, further details of which will be announced soon, assuming Government guidelines continue to permit such events at that time.”

The council will also put up large Christmas trees in Westbury Garden, sponsored by Bradford on Avon Lions Club; the Tithe Barn, sponsored by the Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust, and the Giving Tree in Lamb Yard, sponsored by FirstPort.

Cllr McNeill-Ritchie added: “We hope the community will be encouraged to shop local and support our local shops at this critical time and that businesses will get involved and list any additional incentives they are offering on the Explore Bradford on Avon website - www.bradfordonavon.co.uk/boa-shop-locaI-card/offers-and-discounts.”