South Holland District Council promise that Christmas lights will return to Spalding street

Christmas lights are due to return to parts of the town centre next year after vital work has been undertaken.

Traders have been disappointed that The Crescent in Spalding has not been decorated with festive lights in recent years, Coun Rob Gibson told the last full South Holland District Council meeting.

Lights are now up in the rest of the town centre following the big switch-on during the Christmas event in the town centre over the weekend.

Speaking at last Wednesday’s meeting Coun Gibson, who is the chairman of Spalding Town Forum, said: “Traders in The Crescent were disappointed not to have any Christmas lights last year. I think they have been promised this year as a priority. Will these lights be going up along The Crescent to highlight all the shops in the area.”

Deputy leader Coun Gary Taylor said that The Crescent will be getting further investment.

He said: “My information is that there is major investment electric infrastructure taking place next year. After the investment has taken place that will answer the traders in The Crescent.”

Coun Gibson had asked earlier in the meeting if district council could fund things like the Christmas tree and hanging baskets rather than taking the money from members ward budgets.

Leader of the council Coun Nick Worth said the council had spent £20,000 on reconnecting the electricity in other parts of the town for the Christmas lights but was happy for the town forum to put forward ideas to cabinet for funding.

He said: “I would say about the hanging baskets when you look in all the other towns in the district like Crowland, Donington and Long Sutton, to my knowledge they all pay for their own hanging baskets or find sponsors.

“I don’t think it is fair to those other towns around the district that the council fund hanging baskets.”