NEW Christmas lights for Salisbury could ensure this year's display is an improvement on last year's disappointing show, but at a cost of more than £130,000.

Salisbury District Council's cabinet has put its weight behind a plan to splash out £99,700 for the new decorations, and to nearly double last year's budget for putting up the lights and the switch-on event from £37,000 to £72,000.

People in the city were left decidedly underwhelmed by the 2007 event and the cabinet has resolved to make this year's "the best ever".

Council leader Paul Sample said: "There was discontent with the display and the turn on of the lights last year. Salisbury is undoubtedly the best place to do your shopping at Christmas - that is the message we need to get out.

"We need to encourage people to come to what we hope will be one of the best events in the city's history."


Public reaction "absolutely correct"


Last year's event was marred by sound problems and a fake ice rink proved to be disappointing to many people who turned up to use it, and the cabinet admitted the occasion was not the success they had hoped for.

Cllr Steve Fear said: "The public reaction to last year's event was absolutely correct." In the past, the event has finished with a fireworks display and last year's decision to leave them out proved to be controversial, which the cabinet also hopes to rectify in 2008.

The cabinet discussed a range of six possible options, from sticking to last year's schedule to bringing in a real ice rink, with a view to both promoting shopping in the city and putting on a show for residents and visitors.

The ice rink would have pushed up the cost by a further £120,000, which was dismissed as too expensive, but members felt new lights and fireworks were needed.

Cllr Peter Edge said: "It is very expensive but this is a worst case scenario for the financial possibilities - there will be money raised by the business community."

The decision to support the purchase of new lights and the extra costs for the event has been called in by the council's resources scrutiny panel, which will look at the decision later this month and report back to the cabinet.

6:46am Thursday 8th May 2008

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