Offering a progress update on some of the strategic projects that will play a pivotal role in transforming Goole town centre, the Goole Town Deal Board and Goole Town Council have this week confirmed that, unfortunately, there will be no Christmas light switch-on event this year.

It’s felt that it would not be safe or appropriate for Goole Town Council, which organises the annual light switch-on, to stage the event this year with so much construction work being carried out in and around the Market Hall, and nearby on the Boothferry Road precinct. However, the town’s Christmas lights and the traditional Christmas tree on the Clock Tower roundabout will go up as usual.

The difficult decision to cancel the switch-on event has been made due to ongoing work on the Public Realm scheme, a £3.1 million project that will refresh the way the town centre looks and feels with new hard and soft landscaping and seating, and by making signage and the type of materials used more consistent. The project aims to provide public spaces to be enjoyed; promote walking and cycling; and improve connectivity between key buildings and locations.

Delivery of the Public Realm project was originally due to start earlier in the summer, but was delayed until September in response to feedback from local business owners, who were keen to avoid disruption during the summer holidays, which is one of the busiest times of year for many of the pavement cafes and other businesses located along the Boothferry Road precinct. Meanwhile, planned Public Realm improvements to the area around Goole Market Hall have had to be scheduled for when the scaffolding that currently surrounds the historic building, which is being transformed into a vibrant food hall and events venue thanks to a £4 million investment from Goole Town Deal, has been taken down.

The need to carefully co-ordinate timetables for the delivery of these two closely linked Goole Town Deal projects means that the Market Hall won’t be open for business until early in 2026.

Phil Jones, Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, said: “Whilst the Goole Town Deal Board and Goole Town Council recognise that this news will undoubtedly disappoint those who enjoy attending the annual Christmas light switch on, our priority has to be on keeping people safe and ensuring that delivery of these two key projects can progress as planned. 

“We’re now entering the final few months of the Goole Town Deal programme and there’s a huge amount of work taking place at key locations across the town centre. We’ve been working closely with local business owners to try to minimise disruption, and are very grateful for their patience and support. 

“We would appeal to everyone in the town to bear with us as we approach what will be the huge final push towards getting all eight Goole Town Deal-funded projects completed in 2026, which promises to be a wonderful year of celebration to mark the town’s bicentenary. An exciting programme of bicentenary events is being planned for next year and, without doubt, the annual Christmas light switch-on celebrations will not only be back, but bigger and better than ever, for 2026.”