Thousands spent on new Christmas lights

The new illuminations in Spalding are due to be switched on on 29 November

A council is stepping up the Christmas cheer this year by investing thousands of pound in new lights.

South Holland District Council and the Spalding Town Board are spending £70,000 on new illuminations.

It is part of efforts to improve Spalding town centre, officials said.

The official switch-on will take place on 29 November as part of the town’s Christmas celebrations.

'Appealing and attractive'

Councillor Gary Taylor, South Holland's portfolio holder for community development, said: “We know there is a lot of work to take place over the coming months and years to get Spalding to the place we aspire for it to be, and that this covers a much wider variety of topics and issues than new Christmas lights alone.

However, he said the authority recognised the importance of making the town "appealing and attractive" for both residents and visitors to enjoy and support local businesses.

The funding for the new decorations, which include column displays, a star topper for the Christmas tree, and 1049ft (around 320m) of icicle lights, has come from the government's Long-Term Plan for Towns initiative, which will see £20m invested in the town over a ten-year period.

Investment in the attractiveness of the town centre, especially tying in with events that bring more footfall, was one of the popular options raised during a recent consultation by the Spalding Town Board, which is made up of district councillors and other local representatives.

Chair Robin Hancox said they were committed to making "a real difference" to the town.

“Our consultation in the summer showed us that whilst there is pride in many aspects of Spalding, there is also a clear desire for a better town centre experience with people wanting to see improvements.

“Funding the Christmas lights is just one small but significant way in which we can add to the town centre’s appeal," he added.

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