Troubled council seeks Christmas lights sponsors

The Christmas lights switch-on event for Peterborough usually takes place in November

A financially-struggling city council has invited businesses to sponsor the annual Christmas lights and switch-on event in a bid to save money.

In February, Peterborough City Council unanimously voted in favour of a 5% council tax rise, a review to school crossing patrols and the loss of the city centre's fountains, as part of its budget for next year.

The authority faces growing budget gaps in future years and must continue work to reduce its debt, which currently exceeds £400m.

The authority is also looking to save £65,000 by securing sponsorships to deliver city centre events including the Christmas lights switch-on which attracted nearly 3,000 people last year.

council's appeal on its website said: "We will work with local businesses and others to secure sponsorship for these important and popular events.

"It is an opportunity for you to give back to the community and gain prime visibility for your business.

"Together we can ensure Peterborough has light displays of which residents can be proud and visitors travel to see."

This is the first year the council will be relying on sponsorship for the event.

A council spokesperson said: "There are lots of other councils which have stopped organising events such as the Christmas lights switch-on because of budget pressures.

"We have our own budget challenges, but we want to be able to continue to host a Christmas lights switch-on event as we know how much our residents enjoy it and also the benefit it brings to city centre businesses."