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Organisers of Harrogate's Christmas lights respond to calls for switch on event

Friday, 17 November 2023 02:00

The business organisation in charge of funding Harrogate’s Christmas lights have responded to calls for a return to a switch on event in the town.

Organisers of Harrogate's Christmas lights respond to calls for switch on event The business organisation in charge of funding Harrogate’s Christmas lights has responded to calls for a return to a switch on event in the town. Harrogate’s Christmas lights were officially switched on yesterday (Thursday) in a ‘soft switch on.' It has led to some Harrogate residents calling for a switch on event in the town like with previous years. This was halted due to covid. But Harrogate BID, which funds the lights, has said that an official switch on event could cost between £15-£20,000. A spokesperson said:

“Whilst we totally understand and respect people enjoy Christmas lights switch ons, here is part of the reason why we currently do not deliver one. “As a BID we purely represent businesses so everything we do/financially commit to has to offer some kind of return to our members. “On delivering surveys to our members over previous years there was clear evidence and feedback to show that when committing to a switch on (these can cost around £15-£20,000 minimum) people generally came into town, gathered around the switch on stage, maybe bought a hot drink and went home. “Other events or projects that we deliver at Christmas or at other times of the year offer much better footfall, spend, return etc to the businesses we represent."

The spokesperson added:

“There is also the decision around budgets in general. To deliver a switch on we would probably have to fund around a third less Christmas lights around the town centre. A tough choice right!? “Whilst we don’t expect people to agree with us we do hope that at least gives you an idea on our decision this year.”

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