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Preston’s Christmas Lights switched on an hour late leaving some families forced to leave early

Posted on - 16th November, 2013 - 9:45pm | Author - | Posted in - Christmas, Preston City Centre, Preston News
View from the switch on stage. Picture via BigTVLtd on Twitter.

View from the switch on stage. Picture via BigTVLtd on Twitter.

The Christmas Lights were turned on at 8.30pm on Saturday in Preston, an hour later than advertised.

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It left some families with young children forced to leave the entertainment early and head home.

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Blog Preston readers have voiced their feelings about the over-running of the show.

Andy Bill, from Penwortham, attended with his wife and three children aged seven, six and three.

He said: “We were with my wife’s mum and dad. We got a good spot on the flag market and watched some of the talent which was okay but as the time went on the childrens view got restricted badly so we went up Friargate and watched the screen.

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“By 7:30pm the childrens patience had run out but we hung on a few more minutes but there was no real sign of movement so we gave up and went home.”

Another reader, L, wrote: “Around 7:30 yeah right, had to leave at 8:15 to get kids to bed and still not on, poor”

And University ward councillor and former Mayor Carl Crompton noticed a number of families leaving early as he tweeted:

The lights had been due to be switched on at 7.30pm, with the event starting at 5.30pm but due to the number of acts the entertainment carried on until just before 8.30pm when the switch was finally flicked.

Organisers Preston’s Business Improvement District who represent city centre businesses estimated at one point nearly 15,000 people were lining the Flag Market and surrounding streets.

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Mark Whittle, from Preston BID, said: “We try our best to keep to schedule but with such a packed bill times can slip a little, we hope everyone managed to see the actual switch on and thank them for their continued support.”

Did you attend the lights switch on? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below

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