Councillors to review Kicking off Christmas event

Town councillors next week will discuss an event evaluation report into the 2024 Kicking off Christmas event.

The Town Council's Economy & Events Committee are set to review a detailed report evaluating the event, prepared by the Council’s Development Manager, at their next meeting on January 6th.

The report highlights the many successes of the event while identifying key areas for improvement, providing a roadmap for shaping future celebrations.

The report commends several aspects of the event including collaboration with Severn Valley Events and other local businesses which played a pivotal role in the event’s success. 

The report also reveals that over 400 participants joined the Santa Run, the Bike Parade was well-attended, and the live music lineup entertained visitors throughout the day. The evening fireworks display, synchronized to music, was particularly well-received.

Free parking at the Gravel car park was also praised by visitors.

The report does not shy away from addressing challenges. Waste management, the need for more stalls, and improved marketing strategies were cited as areas needing attention. Issues such as the visibility of first aid stations, sound quality during the light switch-on, and problems with the inflatable Santa were also highlighted.

Town councillors will review these findings and recommendations.