'Woeful' display leaves half a town in 'blackout'

A "woeful" Christmas lights display has left half a town in "blackout" due to a divide in funding, a trader has said.

A volunteer group provides lights for Clevedon's iconic pier and Alexandra Gardens in north Somerset, but the town's centre has the council's "old and faulty" decorations.

"It's been a major disappointment that Clevedon town centre has been left with a woeful display," said Daniel Adams, owner of Stationery House.

Clevedon Town Council spokesperson said its "lights are old and have struggled to withstand severe weather conditions".

Mr Adams added traders are "grateful" to the council for putting up lights "given the extremely limited funds", but said half the town was now in a "Christmas blackout", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Given their age, many aren't working and as such the end result is a little embarrassing compared to other local towns," he added.

The council said it "shares the disappointment" of residents and businesses.

"Due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis we had hoped the lights would last another year but unfortunately this approach has proven unsustainable," a spokesperson added.

BID provides the volunteer Clevedon Community Lights Group with £15,000 for the lights on the pier, Hill Road and Alexandra Gardens.

BID puts a levy on all businesses in the district which includes both the Hill Road area and the town centre but some businesses have said they see little return for the money.

"Businesses of the town centre are extremely aggrieved that having paid Clevedon BID thousands of pounds since August 2023 and having had the time to organise proper lights and a switch on it has failed to do so," Mr Adams added.

A spokesperson for the BID said: "Clevedon town council has for many years provided the Christmas lights in the town centre and organised an event to mark the switch on.

"Post lockdown, the newly formed Clevedon Community Lights group has worked to extend the Christmas lights right across our town."

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