Christmas is one step closer to coming to Bracknell after the council gave permission for seasonal huts to be set up in the town centre.

Up to 18 holiday huts could line up on High Street, The Avenue and Bull Square should the council’s licensing committee approve the position, design and accessibility of the stalls.

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

However he added: “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 councillor 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.”

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

The council’s licensing committee will now decide whether to approve seasonal stands in the coming weeks.