Ayr is to be turned into a ‘winter wanderland’ to draw families to the town. 

Plans for the traditional Christmas lights switch on attracting crowds of 18,000 have been cancelled.  Instead the town will host a twinkling lights display trail and art installations. 

High Street market venue the Grain Exchange is to be transformed into a festive attraction.

Plans presented to councillors also reveal a virtual lights switch on – which people can watch online.  The Winter Wanderland event will run from Sunday, November 15 to January 3.

A South Ayrshire Council report said: “There will be plenty of things for families to do in the town centre but in a safe way thereby balancing public health considerations with the goal of driving business into the town centre.”

Music academy the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is working with the council to turn the Grain Exchange into a “festive spectacular” according to a report.

There will be a one way system and hand sanitisers.

Children can also take part in a scavenger hunt around the town and there will be craft packs available from the Grain Exchange. Shops are invited to decorate their windows with a festive or pantomime theme.

More light locations have also been promised for 2020.

Councillors approved the plans at a full council meeting yesterday (October 1). But a number of politicians were disappointed about lack of proposals for other South Ayrshire towns.

Conservative Prestwick Councillor Hugh Hunter pointed out the approved ideas are “really good” but they only covered Ayr.

He  said: “It is important the council support smaller towns. No thought was given to them what so ever.”

Councillor Hunter and a number of other politicians across parties want Christmas preparations to be considered for other areas as well.

He said “plenty of councillors voiced concerns” about towns being left out.

Officials have been asked to bring forward a paper with celebration ideas for elsewhere.

The paper said: ” The next major event in the South Ayrshire event calendar is the Christmas Light Switch on which typically attracts around 18,000 visitors.

It added: “It is clear that a conventional Christmas light event in 2020 would not be compatible with the need to safeguard public health. It is therefore proposed to hold a virtual Christmas light switch on.

"This will involve pre-recording footage of the light installations and displays throughout the town with some festive messages from service representatives which have been key during coronavirus.”

Ayr East Councillor Brian McGinley said: “I think that we are in uncharted waters due to the COVID pandemic. We need to consider how best the council can still provide winter entertainment for our residents while making sure that we comply with the rules to stop the virus spread.”

The Labour politician, responsible for resources and performance, said: “We have started to do this with some activities for Ayr and the Leadership Panel will now look to ascertain how we can help local communities to realise their plans for the festive period and beyond.”