It is likely that, by the time you read this, 2,000 residents will have joined the Facebook group ‘Bring Back Horsham’s Christmas Lights’.
On last week’s front page, The Resident raised the issue of the town centre lights - or lack of them.
And on Tuesday, a BBCânews report highlighting cutbacks to Christmas lights used Horsham as an example of shoestring budgets nationwide.
Journalist Tim Muffett reported: ‘It is as if the attitude to those who have cut back on the Christmas lights can be summarised as thus...” before his broadcast launched into the ‘you scumbag, you maggot’ line of The Pogues’ Christmas classic ‘Fairytale of New York’.
And there’s even more anger on the Facebook site.
One member writes: “Has anyone realised that the £53,000 (saved) isn't being used anywhere else in the town?”
Other comments include “This is the reason we’re no longer the second best town in England!” and “You know it’s serious when Crawley does it better!”
Last year the council spent £61,800 on Christmas lighting in Horsham town centre and an additional £9,250 was provided in grants to parish councils around the district.
The figures for lights this year are £14,450 for Horsham town and £9,250 to parish councils. Ironically, considering the BBC coverage, it was media reports criticising the amount the council was spending on decorations during a recession that triggered the major cutbacks in the first place.
This week, more lights have gone up - three sets of decorations in East Street, two in Middle Street and five in West Street were turned on at about 5pm last night (Thursday) - but there is still a huge feeling of disappointment amongst most residents.
Garry Mortimer-Cook, Town Centre Manager, said: “There is a benefit to Christmas lights for the traders, so there needs to be a partnership.
“People have been so used to having an excellent lights display, but the amount the council was spending on Christmas lights was no longer defendable.
“We’ve done the very best we could with the money we have available.”
Many residents have asked where the old lights are, and the council has confirmed that they are boxed up in storage. They explained that the new lights use LED bulbs, and with the savings made from energy efficiency, coupled with the high price of installing and taking down the old ‘criss-cross’ wire decorations, meant that the current decorations were deemed the only sensible, cost effective option.
Some local businesses have already decided to take action and support the council.
Dominic Wakefield has paid for a huge Christmas tree outside Wakefield Jewellers in West Street. He said: “Horsham has historically had a very good lights display, but we saw what was happening and thought ‘this isn’t good enough’.
“We spoke to Garry (Mortimer-Cook) and he sorted out the tree very quickly. It was put up within three days.
“It’s very important to have a good display. I’ve heard people actually saying they don’t want to shop in Horsham any more, and we have to do what we can to ensure they don’t do their shopping in Brighton, Crawley or Guildford.”
The Resident is doing its bit too - sponsoring the blue Christmas lights in The Bishopric, and is urging other businesses to get in touch with the council to see how they can help.
A spokesperson for Horsham District Council said: “A number of Christmas activities and events are taking place in Horsham town centre this year, including Thursday late night and Sunday shopping, special festive markets and fairs, dodgems in The Forum, entertainments and more.
“We regret the need to cut our spending on the lights, however the council can no longer justify the higher budget and must look to encourage the town traders to begin to make a contribution towards future displays.
“We continue to support the local eco
nomy to the best of our ability, but our previous level of expenditure on lights is now unsustainable.”
Can your business help sponsor lights or Christmas decorations in town? Email ben@the-resident.co.uk
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