POOLE council is aiming to step in and save the day after the town’s popular Santa Parade was axed due to health and safety concerns.

The council is working on options to providing an alternative parade including extending its Christmas on the Quay event on December 7.

Cllr Elaine Atkinson, right, leader of Borough of Poole said: “The council was disappointed to learn that the annual Santa Parade along the High Street would not be taking place in Poole this year.

“We are currently working hard with partners and the local community to see if there is the possibility of providing an alternative parade in the light of the decision taken by the Dolphin Shopping Centre.”

When Santa arrives on the quay on December 7, proceeding the popular Flotilla of Lights, Poole Town Cllr Mark Howell, leader of Poole People has suggested he could arrive by RNLI lifeboat – as he would have done for the axed parade.

“That would obviously add to that event and help navigate us through the situation,” he said.

More than 1,300 disappointed people have signed a petition after the Dolphin Centre cancelled the popular parade from Poole Quay along the High Street, for health and safety reasons.

Sophie Holland, 18, has set up an online petition calling the decision ‘an outrage and a shame’, and seeking for it to be reversed.

However the parade would have been held on Sunday, November 16 and a road closure order was automatically advertised by Borough of Poole.

But this procedure takes six weeks.

Cllr Chris Wilson, who represents the Poole Town ward for Poole People said: “To me it’s the start of Christmas. It’s extremely disappointing.”

Cllr Judy Butt, former portfolio holder said Conservative members would be discussing the matter at their group meeting last night.

Jonathan Sibbett, chairman of Poole Town Partnership said: “I think we share the disappointment of the town.”

He said they would be continuing with their own events including the lantern parade and Christmas on the Quay. He added: “We will be reviewing Christmas next year in the light of this.”

‘Becoming too risky’

John Grinnell, Dolphin Shopping Centre manager, said: “The decision to change the event was a very difficult one.

“We appreciate those people who have used their time and effort in gathering supporters for the petition.

“However, the safety of the community has to be our top priority.

“We could never forgive ourselves if there was an accident, and with the number of vehicles and people involved, the parade was simply becoming too risky.”

Instead there will be a Christmas light switch-on at 6pm on November 27.