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Why Seasonal huts could be coming to Bracknell town centre this Christmas

Planning chiefs back wooden wonderland but the scheme has one more hurdle to jump

James Aldridge

By James Aldridge

What the seasonal huts might look like. Credit: Publicity Picture

By Oliver Sirrell

Shoppers in Bracknell could soon be able to dip into seasonal huts as they go hunting for bargains this Christmas.

Planners at Bracknell Forest Council have agreed to 18 holiday huts in the town centre - but the scheme still needs approval of its licensing committee.

The huts would line up on High Street, The Avenue and Bull Square in Bracknell, Berkshire.

Speaking at the council’s planning meeting, Cllr Colin Dudley said: "I love Christmas markets and I think Bracknell town centre would have an excellent Christmas market.

"Without meaning to sound like a grinch, I think it will be a nice addition to the town centre, but I do want licensing to take a closer look at the fire regulations and precautions."

Concerns were also raised over the number of days the stalls would be permitted to stay on the sites after Cllr David Worrall questioned why they were called ‘seasonal stalls’ rather than ‘Christmas stalls’.

Cllr Worrall said: "Traders pay a considerable amount of money in rent for their properties in the town centre.

"I am concerned about the 100 days being quite long."

'Bah humbug'

All councillors except for Cllr Worrall voted to approve the seasonal stands, prompting Cllr Dudley to say "bah humbug" to Cllr Worrall.

The plan for the seasonal huts now need to be approved by the council’s licensing committee, which has to determine the position, design and accessibility of the stalls.

The licensing committee will decide whether to approve seasonal stands in the coming weeks.