Business sponsorships save city's Christmas event

Peterborough's Christmas lights event will be held on 22 November

Christmas has been saved for a city after its cash-strapped council met its target of raising £56,000 in business funding for decorations and lights.

Peterborough City Council previously said the city’s Christmas celebrations "could be called off" as it faced a shortfall of £22,000 to cover the costs.

The funds have now been secured following donations and sponsorships from businesses, organisations, individuals and city councillors.

The council has confirmed the Christmas lights switch-on event will go ahead on Friday, 22 November, alongside the opening of Peterborough Cathedral's Christmas market.

The authority's councillors agreed to contribute cash for the celebrations from the Community Leadership Fund – a pot of money they can use each year on projects that benefit the people of their ward

The council had been trying to identify savings after it faced a predicted budget gap of up to £24.3m in 2025/26. The Christmas celebrations were cuts it had proposed to make and it had appealed for businesses to sponsor the festivities instead.

Mohammed Jamil, the authority's deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and corporate governance, said: “It is fantastic news that we have met our sponsorship target and we can now get on with putting everything in place for the switch-on event next month.

“A big thank you to every person and organisation that has pledged to support the event.

"Collectively you have saved Christmas in Peterborough and ensured that thousands of residents and visitors from further afield can enjoy the switch-on event and spending time in the city centre over the Christmas and New Year period.”

The council said more information about the event programme will be shared nearer the time.