A bar in Omagh has received thousands of requests for tickets to its Christmas lights switch on event as its owner says the local council has been ‘miserable’ for not running its traditional event in the town.
Earlier this month Fermanagh and Omagh District Council confirmed to Belfast Live that it would not be hosting the traditional lights switch on events in Omagh and Enniskillen this year.
Instead, the council has said it will be running a series of ‘seasonal Saturdays’, which it says received positive feedback from families and businesses last year.
READ MORE: Fermanagh and Omagh centenarians share their secrets to a long, happy life
However, some local businesses are still unhappy about the lack of a traditional switch on this year, with The Copper Tap running its own switch on events from Thursday 1 December.
Entry will be free and manager Mark O’Connor says the first night’s tickets were booked out in just seven minutes. He said the council’s decision to not hold its traditional event as ‘miserable’
“I think it’s wrong and probably a little miserable from the council’s perspective,” Mark told Belfast Live.
“There’s special memories generated for kids at the Christmas lights switch on.
“We’re lucky that we have a bit of a car park now and a stage from a festival we ran over the summer.
“We saw the news came out and thought to ourselves, why not try to do something here if we can and see what we can pull together here in the next seven days.
“Sometimes you’d like a bit of leadership from your council, it’s the businesses that are doing the promoting of the town.
“I have no doubt I’ll receive a phone call from the council today in regards to the event and there will be 20 hurdles to overcome, but we will get over them and this will happen.
“The response we have had has been amazing , we have had businesses offering donations and what we are going to see out of this is the local spirit coming good.”
Music, lights and festive cheer is on the menu for the events, which The Copper Tap has now extended to Friday 2 December and Sunday 4 December as well.
“We have John Garrity the Belfast busker coming along and we’ll have other music on as well along with Christmas lights and Santa will be coming along as well,” Mark added.
“It’s just a fun thing for young kids to go and see lights being turned on and hearing a bit of music.
“It’s just to bring a bit of festive cheer as we’ve been locked down the last two years, this year should be a celebration of coming out of it.
READ MORE: Talented Co Tyrone teen to appear on Late Late Toy Show
“Omagh as a town at the moment is vibrant and the council have limped away from an event which should happen every year.”
Annual Halloween fireworks displays in the council area were cancelled at just six days notice earlier this year, with the local authority citing financial pressures related to increased energy and utility costs and an ongoing trade union dispute.
In a statement, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said: “The arrangements for this year's Christmas Lights are similar to last year's events which received considerable positive feedback from the business community, residents and visitors to the District.
“The Council is coordinating three Seasonal Saturdays on 03, 10 and 17 December 2022 in Enniskillen and Omagh. These will include festive music and entertainment from 12.30pm and a visit by Santa on 03 December 2022 in both towns.
“These events were enjoyed by all ages last year, and in particular families. They also encouraged people to come into Enniskillen and Omagh and support local businesses.”
READ NEXT:
Western Trust confirms suspension of emergency surgery at South West Acute Hospital
Strabane alert: Michelle O’Neill condemns ‘reprehensible’ attack on PSNI officers
Large GP practice at risk of closure after operators hand back contract to health officials
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
