High street shines as Torquay’s town centre lights are officially switched on

Torquay’s Christmas celebrations continued this week as the town centre lights were officially switched on in Union Street.

Torbay MP Steve Darling, assisted by his guide dog Jennie, joined the Civic Mayor, Cllr Barbara Lewis, to carry out the honours. The pair led the countdown following a VIP reception hosted by the Torquay Town Centre Partnership at David Rowe’s Conroy Couch jewellers.

The event marked the start of Torquay’s festive season, with the much-anticipated Bay of Lights Illumination Trail set to launch this Friday, 28 November.

The switch-on prompted a lively discussion online, with some residents recalling Christmas traditions of years gone by. One Facebook user wrote: “There used to be a giant Christmas tree at Castle Circus which was switched on in front of hundreds of people, and also a Christmas Carnival procession from there to the Harbour. A yearly tradition sadly lost.”

Others welcomed the growing programme of winter events across the Bay. Another commented: “I think it’s lovely to see the town getting ready for Christmas, and can’t wait for the Bay of Lights and market to be added.”