SALISBURY is set to stage a large-scale Christmas lights switch-on in 2027.
Until the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of people gathered in the market square each year to watch the festive season begin.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood, reality television star Joey Essex and Olympic silver medalist Colin Jackson were among the stars to take part in the occasion.
Now, city councillors have decided to invest £10,000 in bringing the event back.
Conservative councillor Jeremy Nettle proposed the initiative as an amendment to the Liberal Democrat administration's budget and five-year plan.
His amendment will make funding available in the 2027/28 financial year to “investigate and deliver a Christmas lights turn-on event”.
Council leader Sam Charleston, who a week earlier had expressed willingness to tweak the budget to boost Christmas spend, accepted it as a “friendly amendment”, meaning members were not required to vote on it at a full council meeting on January 12.
In a 10-minute debate, cllr Paul Sample said: “I have been here for a long time, and one of my happiest memories was at the time that I was mayor of the city and we had the whole community involved in the organisation of switch-on events.
“There was a significant financial contribution from the then-district council, God rest its soul. There was really good input from the cathedral.
“It brought so many people into the city on a Thursday a month before Christmas, and it was a real start to the shopping season.
“If we are going to do this, we have to do it with our partners in the community.
“Ten thousand pounds is just chicken feed in reality, but it is a step in the right direction, and it’s something on which we can build.”
Read more
Cars could be banned from city centre on three trial days this year
Why are our elected officials still on X as abuse of women continues?
Salisbury's new Lidl among 19 to open nationwide in next eight weeks
Cllr Sven Hocking said: “As a council, this is something we should do because we can.
“It brought the community together. We filled the market square and the surrounding streets.
“Thousands and thousands of people turned out. Everyone had a great time. It’s one of those things that puts us on the map again.”
Cllr Ed Rimmer was critical of the amendment being added to the budget – alongside other expenses such as upping councillor allowances – without an income estimate.
“I just find it odd that we’re sitting around the table seemingly coming up with ideas to spend more money when we’re in a situation where we’re about to be asked to raise the precept,” he said.
“Hearing amounts like £10,000 being described as ‘chicken feed’ by cllr Sample, I think, shows how out of touch this council has become with the people that we represent.
“I’m not necessarily saying it’s a bad idea.
“I’d like to see a case for whether it’s going to make money rather than lose money before I'm willing to vote on it.”
Cllr Brian Dalton said he would “resign the day after” a switch-on event if “bringing 12,000 people into the city does not make money”.
He also said local bands should perform – perhaps alongside The Police frontman Sting .
“We need the BID on board, and the chamber of commerce,” cllr Dalton said.
“We need to start that work now. We need to make the switch-on event a success.
“Sting only lives down the road. He hasn’t done anything in Salisbury yet.
“It’ll bring in big money for the city. That’s what I’m worried about.”
A separate proposal to increase spending on Salisbury's city centre Christmas decorations beyond the administration's plans was voted down.
Share