Helensburgh Winter Festival has gone online this year because of coronavirus – but the council could hold its own market event.
The annual festival has been running since 2012, but this year’s event is now being run virtually following advice from Argyll and Bute Council’s environmental health department.
It will go ahead via its website, as well as Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Chairman Lorna Douglas said: ”We were devastated when we had to cancel this year’s event but are delighted to be able to take the festival online and hope that our supporters will be able to join in the fun online.”
There will be a penguin design competition for children as well as an online market, while volunteers are being asked to send in pre-recorded videos or take part in Facebook live cookery and cocktail demonstrations or entertainment.
A spokesperson said the festival would return next year if the virus was no longer a threat, adding: “We fully understand that town businesses have had a hard time and are facing a difficult festive season, and would hope that Argyll and Bute Council will help by actively promoting the town as a great Christmas shopping destination for people coming in small groups, but stand firm in our belief that it would be wrong to hold any event which would encourage large numbers of people to gather at one time.”
Full details of the online events are on the festival’s website.
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said they had advised organisers of the current restrictions on festivals, ‘so that they could consider any appropriate alternative ways of delivering the event’.
She added: “We want to do all we can to support both people’s health and the local economy so are looking into whether a Christmas market would be possible, as a way in which to support local businesses.
“Markets are currently permitted and must follow strict safety guidelines similar to those currently being operated in shops including one way systems and hand sanitising stations.
“Due to the changing national situation, these plans are under review and will be adapted as required.”
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