WELLINGTON’S Christmas lights WILL be officially switched on on Saturday, December 2, town councillors decided at their monthly meeting on Monday.

The decision followed a report presented to them by town clerk Greg Dyke which said: “Councillors will recall that in March this year detailed discussion took place around the date for the switch on of the Christmas lights. November 18 was suggested by a traders group, a compromise date of November 25 was suggested or December 2.

“There was a strong view that November 18 was far too early for a community-based Christmas event and this suggestion received no support at all. There was little support for November 25. December 2 was the date that was felt to be most appropriate for an event to mark the Christmas period.

“In order to make the switch-on more relevant to the Christmas period it was agreed that the council’s official ceremony take place on December 2 .

“Since that time I have been approached by a different group of traders representing businesses and shops in High Street, Fore Street, North Street and South Street. They are keen to ‘breathe a bit of life back into our town, and make Wellington a place people want to visit. We have some fabulous little shops’.

“They have, therefore, begun talks regarding arrangements for Christmas trading this year. They felt that the event that was organised last year in South Street was not universally successful. In fact, the closure of South Street on a Saturday had an adverse effect on a number of shops. They felt the need to implement a proper plan, and regroup. I met with the traders on Friday, May 19, to hear their suggestions. The aim is to implement a six-week plan without the need for road closures.

“They want to draw people out of Waitrose car park. This, they feel, will only happen if the town looks inviting. Initially they thought they could encourage shop owners to put up Christmas tree and lights. Their discussions developed and after hearing examples of what happened in other towns they considered the possibility of providing artificial trees, all with white lights.

“They would be prepared to organise some fundraising and buy some trees and flag pole holders. The trees would then be owned by the council, so, as traders change the town still had a uniform look. Each shop would pay a donation of, say, £50 every year to the council for the putting up and taking down and storage. The flag holders could then be used for the remainder of the year for other purposes. It was also explained that as the majority of shops were in a Conservation Area and many were Listed Buildings; consent would probably be required to put flag holders on the shops.

“The point was made that it was important that the traders took a united approach to the Christmas trading period and worked together. The council would not get into a position where it was seen to be favouring one group over another. The aim of the traders and the council should be to attract as many people into the town centre as possible. The role of the council was to do what it could to facilitate this. The council itself invested a significant sum in the provision of Christmas lights and would this year be looking to enhance the town centre Christmas tree and some of the street decorations.

“The date of the switch-on ceremony was also discussed and the general view of the traders was that this should take place on Thursday, November 30.

“I understand from Sally Hooper of Mad Dog that it was the intention of the traders in South Street to go ahead with a road closure and Christmas-themed event on November 25 this year.

“I agreed that I would submit details of the current situation and plans to the council for consideration and comment.”

The council welcomed the initiative of the traders and asked the town clerk to discuss further with them what help and assistance they might need.