Angry residents say a town council is ‘killing Christchurch off’ as it reveals future of Christmas lights in doubt due to BCP Council withdrawing funding

Angry residents claim a town council is trying to “kill Christchurch off” after it was revealed its Christmas lights could be axed next year.

Christchurch Town Council (CTC) says it is struggling to foot the £70,000 bill for the annual festive decorations now that cash-strapped BCP Council is no longer contributing £11,000 towards them.

This year’s lights will go ahead and be switched on on 26th November, but CTC has now revealed the town might stay dark in 2026.

The plans are due to be discussed at a meeting of the council’s community committee tomorrow (Wednesday). A report to the committee acknowledged: “Christchurch has a long-standing tradition of festive Christmas light displays, with records of public installations dating back at least to the early 2010s.

“These displays were historically coordinated and funded by predecessor local authorities, including Dorset County Council and later BCP Council.”

It said that in 2022 Christchurch’s Business Improvement District (BID) stepped in to fund the costs relating to the switch-on event, while CTC paid for the lights and installation.

But a year later CTC took over the cost of the switch-on event as well. Despite revealing it had attracted around 5,000 visitors during the day and 2,500 for the evening, the council says it is looking at whether funding the lights is now a “responsible” use of its funds.

But the revelation the future of the lights is in doubt – shared by councillors online – has led to outrage from residents who responded. One said: “Unbelievable, what else are they going to decide to take away?

“We pay enough council tax, surely we deserve a little Christmas cheer and joy. It’s part of the Christmas tradition and does a lot of good to the local businesses.”

Another said: “This is absolutely disgusting, the lights switch-on is always packed, and is the start of the Christmas season. They obviously have got no children or grandkids – yet again Christchurch will miss out.”

One local stormed: “They seem determined to kill off Christchurch. With M&S pulling out, they need to do everything they can to try and save it.”

The report says a public survey in 2023 revealed 91% of residents were in favour of the Christmas lights, attracting comments such as “simply spectacular” and “beautiful.”

But it says that now that the withdrawal of BCP cash “raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the existing delivery model”.

It adds: “The project has traditionally aimed to foster civic pride, support local businesses, and create a festive atmosphere that brings residents and visitors together.

“However, priorities evolve, and it is worth considering whether this type of seasonal event continues to reflect the strategic direction of the council and the needs of the community. Another key consideration is whether the project represents a good use of public funds.”

Four proposals for the future of the lights are to be discussed at the meeting:

• Keeping things as they are which, the report points out, will “maintain tradition and public expectation, boost town centre footfall and support local businesses”. But that this comes with a “high cost”.

• The council pays for the lights but don’t hold a switching-on event. The report says this will still provide a “festive atmosphere and is easier to manage” but there will be “reduced business promotion” and it “may disappoint residents”.

• Pause or discontinue the project entirely. This, it says, would have “significant cost savings” and “frees up resources” but the report states that there would be a “loss of festive atmosphere” and “potential public dissatisfaction” and have an “impact on local businesses and reputational risk”.

• Hold a public survey on residents’ wishes for the future of the town’s Christmas decorations. But this could have a “risk of low engagement” and ”doesn’t resolve budget issues”.

Whatever proposal the committee votes for, its decision would still need full council approval.