Christmas Lights 'Black Out' Angers Local Traders

Festive cheer in short supply for streets who didn't get promised lights

Local businesses are annoyed over the Council's failure to deliver the extra Christmas lights promised to brighten up Chiswick streets in time for the annual shopping rush.

Traders were told that the Council would fund extending the lights this year for Devonshire Road and Glebe Street, and the part of CHR between Chiswick Lane and Goldhawk Road.

But as the lights were officially switched on in the traditional ceremony outside the George IV last week,with Council dignitaries attending, the other streets nearby remained in the dark as far as sparkling lights were concerned.

Devonshire Road

With local shops anxious to attract shoppers for Small Business Saturday this weekend (December 6th), businesses are angry that the promised lights have not been delivered in time as they try to make the area more attractive to attract local custom.

The manager for Chiswick and Brentford, Rachel Victor Sampson said that the Council ordered the lights directly from the suppliers and that delivery had been delayed. She had spoken with the lighting company today and they have confirmed that they will carry out the additional work to the columns and erect lighting tomorrow evening - Wednesday Dec 3rd. However as of Thursday, December 4th, this had not been done.

Mike Moran of Top Hat said: "Every year we ask for Christmas lights for our street and this year we were promised that the lights would be in place but it's very disappointing that they haven't arrived. This was promised as far back as April so I don't know why they were delayed. We've no idea what's going to happen or if we'll get a 'switch on' date soon."

He said it would have been ideal to have the area looking festive for Small Business Saturday this weekend at a time when independent traders are competing with shopping centres for Christmas custom.

Traders at the other end of Chiswick High Road, from Chiswick Lane to Goldhawk Road are also said to be disappointed as they were anxious to make the area look more attractive.

December 2, 2014