Harrogate Borough Council

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17 June 2008 -  Harrogate Borough Council has this week confirmed that it is prepared to support Harrogate's Christmas lights fundraising campaign with a £7,500 contribution if local businesses will provide the same amount. 

 

For the past five years, ladies from Soroptimists International of Harrogate and District have done a sterling job of fundraising to provide lighting displays in Harrogate but no group has come forward to take on this role, which could see Harrogate town in the dark this coming festive season.

 

Councillor Andrew Jones Cabinet Member for Resources, explains why the council is prepared to support the fundraising for Harrogate and why it is hoped businesses will come forward too.  "Harrogate and other towns in the district are a magnet for visitors and especially so during the festive period and we want to make it as welcoming as possible.  Historically, the council spends £30,000 each year to put up and take down the lighting displays in the main settlements and provide Christmas trees right across the district.  We also spend £13,000 on the decorative lighting round Harrogate Stray, Montpellier Hill and Crescent Gardens.

 

"As a council we have six towns to support plus Starbeck and we do not think it is right that we should nearly double what we spend in Harrogate town without making similar increases for the other towns, which is why we are seeking this match funding from businesses.

 

"The lighting displays used in Harrogate in previous years do not belong to the council as they were hired from a supplier.  That supplier also helps us keep cost to a minimum by doing much of the work free of charge.  We are pleased that we can make this extra contribution and we hope that businesses will come forward and pledge their contribution to raise the £7,500 needed to keep Harrogate's Christmas lighting display at the high standard achieved last year.  We recognise that some businesses already provide displays either individually or in groups, however, we believe that asking businesses to meet us half way would tackle the problem of a poor show this Christmas.  We have identified this further funding from the money we set aside for energy bills."

 

The Harrogate Chamber of Trade has welcomed the council's move and has already pledged £1000 themselves.  Other pledges have come in from Destination Harrogate and Hoopers of James Street making the shortfall just £5000.

 

Any business wishing to contribute towards the Harrogate Christmas Light fund should send their donations to Harrogate Borough Council, c/o Mr John Burton, Head of Transport, Knapping Mount, West Grove Road, Harrogate HG1 2AE.

 

Councillor Jones added that businesses in Ripon are helping to plug the funding gap to refurbish the city's lights and the council is contributing a further £3000 on top of the £5,500 it already provides.   ENDS

 

 

Ripon (inc tree lights)            £5,458 (this will be increased in 2008 by £3,000)

Knaresborough Town Council                        £8,100

Knaresborough tree lights                                £740

Boroughbridge (inc tree lights)                        £2,857

Pateley Bridge tree lights                                   £374

Masham tree lights                                           £363

Harrogate                                                        £13,000 (will be increased by £7,500 in 2008 if match funded)     

Harrogate and Starbeck tree lights                £2,611

13 Christmas trees across the district            £4,091

Tree lights new diode lights                            £2,857