HAVING dazzled the town over the festive season, Northwich Town Council is hoping the stunning lights at Town Bridge can become a permanent fixture.

The lighting, along with the town's other Christmas lights and the projection at St Helen's Church, is now being taken down.

But having impressed residents in recent months, the town council is now working on having Town Bridge lit up permanently as Northwich looks to bounce back from the coronavirus crisis.

"The response from people was absolutely tremendous," Cllr Sam Naylor told the Guardian.

"It makes the town look great, it makes a positive impact and it makes people feel better.

"It is all about making a statement which is one of the most important things we can do for the town.

"Once we are back up and running we have got to get a bit of positivity about the place."

Cllr Naylor hopes the Town Bridge lights can form part of an impressive display to welcome visitors back to Northwich when restrictions are eased.

He says this could include lighting up the restored pillars and gates at Verdin Park's entrance in Castle Street – which are expected to be in place this month – along with the lighting at Odeon which is already set up and eventually the Brunner and Mond statues, which are planned for a move to Parr's Bank.

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It comes as Northwich is preparing to open a new outdoor events space where the outdoor market stood before last year's fire, while the Labour member also wants to see the town make better use of its waterways.

"We have got to attract people to the town centre," added Cllr Naylor.

"There are big opportunities that we have got to explore. We are not just going to sit back and let things take their own course – if we do that we will be in dire straits."