Three major annual events in Chesterfield cancelled because of coronavirus uncertainty

The town’s 1940s Market, Chesterfield Fireworks Extravaganza and the Christmas Lights Switch-On have all become victims of the uncertainty surrounding how the country will emerge from the pandemic.

Chesterfield Borough Council says it expects all three to return in 2021.

With coronavirus laws currently prohibiting public gatherings and the potential for further lockdown measures to be reinstated this autumn and winter, the council says it has ‘reluctantly come to this decision’.

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Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “I understand that lots of people will be very disappointed by this decision. The council really enjoys working on these events and we know how important they are to our residents, traders and retailers.

“The problem is that we don’t know what the future holds, and just as the public need certainty about their safety, the many partners who commit their time and money to help us to deliver these events also need certainty.

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“We fully expect these fantastic events to return to the Chesterfield festivals and events programme in 2021.”

The council says it is due to the scale of these events, which attract more than 20,000 visitors to Stand Road Recreation Ground and the town centre, that the decision has to be taken now.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “This is a critical planning period for the council.

“Contracts would routinely have been let by now to key suppliers and it simply isn’t fair for the council to keep local businesses and organisations hanging on when they could be focussing their efforts on other events that have a better chance of being held.”

The 1940’s market was set to take place in the town centre on Thursday, October 29, the Chesterfield Fireworks Extravaganza on Thursday, November 5 at Stand Road Recreation Ground and the Christmas Lights Switch-On was due to be marked on Sunday, November 15, again in the town centre.

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