Harrogate’s Christmas Lights – powered by Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) – have gone live!
And whilst Covid forced the cancellation of an official switching on-ceremony, this year’s display – which includes streets which have not been featured before – will the give the town centre a much-needed end of year boost.
Over the last few weeks, the BID’s partners in this project, Gala Lights, have been busy adorning buildings, lampposts and trees with an array of illuminations, including a host of animated effects.
A total of 520-man hours, and more than 100,000 LED bulbs, have gone into creating this year’s display.
In addition to a giant illuminated Christmas present near Betty’s, and a programmable and multi-coloured tunnel on the piazza in front of Victoria Shopping Centre, the tower of St Peter’s Church will also be lit.
Harrogate BID Acting Chair Sara Ferguson said: “Whilst the weekend was the start of ‘Harrogate at Christmas’, for obvious reasons it was very different to those of previous years. Sadly there was no official switching-on ceremony.
“We have invested a significant amount of money in the lights, and I’m delighted to say that this year we have included streets that have not been featured in the past. Even though we are in the middle of a ‘lockdown’ we want to ensure Harrogate looks festive and welcoming.
“And when the shops, cafés and bars reopen on December 2, we would encourage everyone to come into town, do their Christmas shopping, enjoy a meal and a drink whilst observing the latest Government Covid guidelines, which in turn will help support the local economy.”
Further information about Harrogate BID is available from its website, http://harrogatebid.co.uk/