our local hero pulls in crowds
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TURN-OUT DOUBLED
I miss home so much when I’m on the road, it’s just nice to be here
Sam Fender
A HOMECOMING appearance by Sam Fender doubled the number of people who attended Newcastle ‘s Christmas lights switch-on this year.
Newcastle City Council have confirmed that more than 10,000 people lined the city centre to watch the North Shields singer songwriter switch on the festive display.
The numbers were double that of last year, when 5,000 people attended.
The council had decided to move the stage from Grey Street to Blackett Street – which was shut to traffic – as it expected a bumper crowd due to Sam’s popularity.
The Brit award winner took time out of his hectic schedule for the event before heading straight back on the road afterwards, on his tour to Germany.
When Fender flicked the switch, it triggered 230,000 Christmas lights around Grey Street and Northumberland Street as well as Neville Street near Central Station.
Before taking to the stage, he said of being asked to take part: “It’s amazing; it’s an honour. I miss home so much when I’m on the road, it’s just nice to be here.”
Big screens were also positioned in Grey Street and Grainger Street to ensure a less congested area for families with children.
By tea-time the crowds were starting to build for the event, hosted by Metro Radio’s Breakfast Show presenters Steve and Karen.
The event came just over a week before the start of Newcastle’s Christmas
markets, which will be more than double the size of previous years and include a 30m toboggan slide, a carousel and a ‘helter skelter bar.’ There will also be a ski lodge-themed bar and live music. Newcastle’s business improvement district company, NE1, say the plans signal a shift in the city’s approach to Christmas.
The markets will open on November 16, with shopping stalls and attractions open right up until Christmas Eve, rather than December 16 as last year. Street food and drink stalls will stay open until New Year’s Eve. Michelle Percy, Director of Place at Newcastle City Council, said: “This is the launch of an exciting festive period in Newcastle with an improved Christmas offer in place across the city and [Thursday] night’s switch on was the biggest in the city’s history with over 10,000 people heading into the city centre to see Sam Fender return home to switch on the Christmas lights. “The new location of Blackett Street proved to be a big success, with crowds also watching the entertainment from additional screens on Grey Street and Grainger Street.”