THIS year’s Christmas lights switch-on in Knutsford is set to be live-streamed because of the need for social distancing.

The change is one of a number planned for the town’s festive celebrations because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Santa and lantern parades, live on-stage entertainment and Santa’s grotto all face the axe this year because of social distancing challenges.

The Christmas Market is due to return on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29.

A report to Monday’s town council events committee said the market had become extremely popular and drew large crowds.

It said: “The existing set-up is problematic given the narrow pavements in Knutsford town centre and large crowds, meaning social distancing would not be possible.

“The crowding would also mean town centre businesses would not have adequate space outside their premises for queuing as needed to maintain social distancing within their shops.”

It is proposed this year’s market is split into food and craft markets, and held on Princess Street and Silk Mill Street car parks, with gazebos on Princess Street linking the two spaces.

The overall number of traders would be reduced to allow stalls to fit more easily into the sites and to allow some distancing between traders.

With the market taking place on Princess Street car park it would not be possible to include the funfair.

Live on-stage entertainment which usually precedes the lights switch-on is not due to take place to allow social distancing.

In addition it is proposed the Santa parade does not take place as this has been well attended in previous years and would present distancing challenges.

It is recommended the Santa’s grotto is not included because of the challenge of ensuring the required social distancing between Santa and the children, and it is proposed the lantern parade is postponed until 2021.

The lights switch-on would be live-streamed on the Friday evening before the market.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner said separating food and craft was a good idea, as was removing those things which would cause people to congregate.

Cllr Elizabeth Beswick said the market would be better on an open environment like the Heath or Tatton Street car park.