Carol singing set to be banned in Blackpool

Carol singing and festive music could be banned in Blackpool town centre in the run up to Christmas amid fears the traditions could help  spread  Covid.
Salvation Army citadel in BlackpoolSalvation Army citadel in Blackpool
Salvation Army citadel in Blackpool

Blackpool Council looks set to revoke permission for the Salvation Army Band to play outside Marks and Spencer in Church Street on the four Saturdays before Christmas and on Christmas Day itself.

Carol singers supporting Betel, a charity which also helps vulnerable people, could also be banned from holding performances in the town centre.

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It is feared the events could attract crowds and encourage the spread of the virus.

Blackpool Council’s public protection sub-committee is being recommended to revoke permits if Blackpool remains in Tier 3 restrictions and Covid 19 safety measures cannot be met.

It is proposed to continue to allow street collections by the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and for the Illuminations.

A report to the committee says: “There is some concern, however whether the collections by Betel and the Salvation Army should take place under the current Covid restrictions.

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“Blackpool is currently under Tier 3 very high. Both collections include performances of music, whether live or recorded, and this could encourage members of the public to stop and listen.”

Betel, which supports people suffering homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse and long-term unemployment, has submitted a risk assessment to the council in a bid to keep its permit.

It says it will use recorded carol singing instead of live performers, and will just deploy a team to collect donations.

Councillors are being recommended to suspend the issuing of street collection permits while Blackpool remains under Covid 19 restrictions.

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They are also being asked, to authorise the trading standards and licensing manager to revoke permits already issued to Betel and Salvation Army if Blackpool remains in Tier 3 and “he is satisfied that requirements under the Covid 19 restrictions cannot be met.”

The Salvation Army band plus one collector currently has permission to perform on the four Saturdays before Christmas between 11am and 1pm, and on Christmas Day between noon and 1pm outside Marks and Spencer’s.

Betel has permission for collections between December 7 and 12 with up to eight carol singers in costumes, using charity buckets between 10am and 6pm.

The report adds “there is no suggestion that the permit for the Poppy Appeal should be suspended because the format of the collection is well known, can be achieved with social distancing and will not encourage crowds to gather.

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“Similarly the collection for the Illuminations is done by gathering donations from people in vehicles.

“Social distancing can be maintained and there is no suggestion of crowds gathering.”

It is also proposed to suspend future applications for street collections until the end of March next year, although this could be lifted earlier if restrictions are “significantly relaxed.”

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