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Guernsey Electricity will cover the electricity costs for the town Christmas lights this year.
An appeal was launched earlier this year by the Constables of St Peter Port Christmas Lights Charity to raise the £100,000 needed to keep the lights running this Christmas and in years to come.
It costs around £25,000 just to put the lights up and take them down each year. This is added to the cost of replacing all the bulbs, sockets and cables which had become old and broken over the years and also the switching-on ceremony which costs in the region of £5,000.
The utility will cover the cost of powering the lights over the festive period, which starts on Saturday 28 November when Father Christmas visits town to switch on the lights and collect letters.
John Sarre, chairman of the St Peter Port Christmas Lights Committee, said: “We are very grateful and delighted that Guernsey Electricity has generously decided to donate the power for the lights over the Christmas period, which is a significant cost of putting up the display. The lights are an important part of our community traditions at Christmas and with the tremendous support of local businesses and individuals we hope they can be enjoyed for years to come.”
Alan Bates, chief executive of Guernsey Electricity, said that the utility was happy to help keep town festive this Christmas.
“Locals and visitors alike enjoy the lights and the festive atmosphere it creates every year and it’s a great chance for our community to come together to celebrate Christmas. Running that many lights of course has a cost in terms of the electricity supply and this year we have decided to cover that cost ourselves. We hope this will help ensure the lights stay on for everyone to enjoy.”
