Stratford’s Christmas Lights Faced a Funding Gap: Council Steps In

Stratford-upon-Avon’s Christmas lights were facing a £10,000 funding shortfall this year because of higher energy costs and standing charges, and the district council has agreed to pay £2,500 towards closing it. The decision was published on Tuesday 27 October, less than three weeks before the lights go on.

The remaining £7,500 is to come from the other partners who pay for the display, the decision says. It doesn’t give the total cost of the lights or how much each partner is putting in.

Who pays for Stratford’s Christmas lights

The lights aren’t paid for by one body. They are funded each year by a partnership of Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council, Stratford Town Trust, Stratford BID, local businesses and sponsors, and the district council.

The £2,500 is an additional contribution from Stratford-on-Avon District Council. The council gives three reasons for the shortfall: energy costs, changes to standing charges and “the general economic situation”.

What would have happened otherwise

The only alternative listed in the decision was to reduce or cancel the display. The council’s reasoning is economic as well as festive: it calls Stratford the district’s main town, one that attracts high numbers of visitors and makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

The decision isn’t subject to call-in, so it doesn’t need to go back to councillors.

When the Stratford lights go on

The switch-on is on Saturday 14 November, with the lights lit at about 5.30pm after a day of events from 10am. Our Christmas lights switch-on guide has what’s on, the road closures and how to get home afterwards. Everything else for the season is in our Christmas in Stratford guide.

The Christmas market follows on the weekends of 28–29 November and 5–6 December, with six streets closed for each.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.