Hopes to bring festive lights back to The Crescent in Spalding

Traders say one of the town’s main shopping areas should be lit up with festive illuminations as council officials promise to look into the issue.

Coun Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council’s deputy leader, said work is underway to ensure that The Crescent in Spalding features in this year’s Christmas lights display after concerns had been raised by shopkeeper along the area.

Traders in The Crescent say they missed out during the last Christmas shopping season because issues with electrical infrastructure meant there were lights in their area.

Emma Peake, who runs Daisies, wants to see the problem resolved and says the area could host late night shopping events – if there are decorations.

She said: “We need lights.

“We definitely missed out and we had even asked them (the council) and they promised us that there would be some sort of lights by Christmas. The Crescent looked dull and it looked like we hadn’t bothered.

“There were lights along The Hole in the Wall and then it got to our end and there wasn’t any.

“It would be great to have lights and we will put on events and do late night shopping and things like that.

“Lights make Christmas.”

In an update to the last Spalding Town Forum meeting, Coun Taylor said action was being taken.

He said: “Some early conversations have taken place between district council officers in the economic and community teams about a way of extending and enhancing the lights offer in Spalding.

“Officers are trying to resolve that (issue with the electricity infrastructure) so The Crescent is part of the Christmas celebrations this year. For future years if the BID (Business Improvement District) does receive a successful vote this year they have a way of accessing future funding opportunities to enhance the lights.”

Traders in Spalding are looking at creating a Business Improvement District, in which firms pay a levy which will go towards the costs of improvements, and have formed Spalding Business Board.

Chairman of the town forum, Coun Rob Gibson, had raised concerns previously about the lack of lights along The Crescent and welcomed the news.

He said: “It’s good to know that you are looking at The Crescent. I think it is one of the jewels in our crown with its unique shops.”

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