Medway towns to get Christmas lights after all
Three companies have come forward after the council said it couldn't afford festive lights
Medway's town centres WILL have Christmas lights this year - thanks to three companies working wit the local council
Medway Council had earlier announced it had made the difficult financial decision to not fund Christmas lights in its five main town centres. But now three companies that work closely with the unitary authority came forward to offer their help.
Norse Group, Marston Holdings and VolkerHighways have joined forces to provide their financial support to install and cover the costs of running Christmas lights in Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Rainham and Strood high streets.
"incredibly heartened by the generous offer"
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, said: “I am incredibly heartened by the generous offer of all three companies. Their corporate support means it is now possible to have Christmas lights in all five town centres this year. My personal thanks to Norse Group, Marston Holdings and VolkerHighways.
“Our decision to not use taxpayers’ money to fund Christmas lights and switch-on events saves the council £75,000. With a 91% cut in government funding since 2010 and a £17million gap in this year’s budget, I remain resolutely determined to balance our books, even if that means further difficult decisions.”
Keith Hanshaw, Client Services Director, at Marston Holdings, said: “We are pleased to be able to support Medway’s Christmas lights. We hope that this will encourage residents and visitors to make the most of what Medway has to offer during the festive period, as well as support local businesses.”
Alistair Thompson, Managing Director of VolkerHighways commented on the sponsorship: “We are pleased to help support Medway Council for their Christmas light display this Christmas. We hope that the lights bring some Christmas cheer to the residents and visitors of Medway during the festive season.”
Chatham will hold a Christmas parade and Rochester will hold various Christmas events, including the popular Dickensian Christmas Festival.
A crowdfunder for lights in Rochester has now topped ÂŁ15,000 - and organisers say they'll use any extra money to secure lights for future years.