Morecambe winter lights continue to sparkle with £9k boost from town council
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Over the past two winters multi-coloured light cones have illuminated Marine Road Central with their soft, tasteful light and ever-changing patterns.
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Hide AdIn place from early November to the middle of February, the lights have provided a colourful backdrop to Christmas shopping and brightened up the long winter nights, receiving much praise from local residents.
Originally funded in partnership by Morecambe BID and Morecambe Sparkle CIC (the organisation behind Baylight Festival), the return of the lights this winter was under threat following the end of the County Council’s Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth Programme – a major source of funding for Morecambe Sparkle.
With the lighting taking a hammering from the elements each year, maintenance is a never-ending process that comes at substantial cost.
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Hide AdHowever, the Town Council has now agreed to cover some of the funding shortfall by making a £9,000 award from its Community Grants fund, acknowledging the economic and wellbeing benefits the lighting has brought to the town.
Jason Slater, chair of Morecambe Town Council’s community grants committee, said: ‘The impact of the winter light scheme on Marine Road over the past three years has been undeniable.
" Resident feedback has been great, with people not only commenting on their attractiveness, but the effect they have on their mood and wellbeing, while businesses have also felt the benefits.
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Hide Ad"This affordable, small-scale, environmentally friendly nod to the illuminations of yesteryear are helping restore pride in place for local people and therefore Morecambe Town Council is pleased to be helping secure their return this year.”
John O’Neill, manager of Morecambe BID, said: "One of the few consistent themes people have expressed a wish to see a return to Morecambe is the Illuminations.
"Whilst we cannot compete with Blackpool we can provide a sense of belonging and the fact that our scheme is Morecambe’s own.
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Hide Ad"We know from a lot of positive feedback that people especially love the cones and that is why we have decided to extend the time they are up by a month.”