Readers' Letters October 28

I READ the news regarding no Christmas lights with dismay and horror.

Christmas comes but once a year.

We all pay council tax and the shops pay business rates, surely some of this money could go towards the supposedly festive season?

However, I also agree that the traders, – especially the larger ones – should be able to provide some funding towards these lights, as they do benefit from the extra trade at this time of year.

One of the main highlights of the year’s shopping is the Christmas late nights with the lights shining.

As we have lived in Spain for the past three years (where the Christmas lights are switched on from December 1 in every town) my family were looking forward to a traditional Christmas – not 
a ‘blackout’ one.

Therefore I, along with a lot of my friends, will not be doing our shopping in Chichester this year. If the shops do not care about their customers then why shop here?

Why not give our custom to an area 
that does?

Carol Orpwood, Chichester

I AM sure that most sensible people will not miss seeing a few lights in the shopping area.

I won’t call them ‘Christmas lights’ as they usually appear at least two months before the said day, and if children are excited when they see them, the excitement will have worn off long before the day actually arrives.

I am amazed that at a time when we have all been asked to economise, the council is prepared to waste £15,000 – money which would do far more good almost anywhere else.

A few coloured bulbs are not going to influence people to spend more in the shops, and the shops themselves provide plenty of reminders via their contents and window dressing from the end of August onwards.

J Barratt (Mrs), West Walberton Lane, Walberton

AS A city we have £15,000 promised by the council, plus £3,000 kindly donated by local retailers/businesses so let us have £18,000 worth of Christmas lights.

We have the lights anyway, so why not use them?

I am sure that with some thrifty negotiations this can be achieved and we could have a great display.

Maybe the council does not want to make a contribution at all and is just trying to blame it on the retailers?

Amanda Baggott, Proposals of Chichester, St Martin’s Street, Chichester

I HAVE noted with dismay the absence of lights in Chichester this Christmas.

May I suggest Plan B?

Could all shops in Chichester be encouraged to light up their shop windows with Christmas lights (they will often have some at home) and the Chichester Observer could run a competition for 
best-lit window, voted for by the public?

We must all get behind it!

Michael Burton, Lavant

CHICHESTER district councillors should hold their heads in shame.

The council tax around here is disgusting and, let’s face it, you pay more to live in Chichester than the surrounding areas, but I bet those other places get Christmas lights.

The car park charges in the city keep going up and extending hours, and yet we see nothing for it!

With the money generated from the city’s charges, CDC could and should be capable of paying more than just half the cost for the lights.

I wonder where it’s having its Christmas staff party this year?

L Eason, Chichester

BEFORE WE all start calling each other Scrooge, perhaps we should take a look at the purposes of decorating the city centre for Christmas?

Here they are in no particular order.

n Boosting trade: Clearly traders in the centre have never thought it did because they haven’t contributed much over the past ten years.

But why should that group be targeted?

Why should that group be expected to pay for something from which they can see no return?

A cause for concern is that small traders will suffer while multiples thrive.

The council had to make a hard decision.

But it is spending our money; when Scrooge had a change of heart and bought a turkey for Bob Cratchit, he was spending his own.

Perhaps cheaper parking for the season or temporary park and ride might do more for city-centre trade than decorations?

n General jollification: We’re all in favour of that and communities everywhere have always celebrated the passing of the winter solstice.

That’s fine if the community pays for it.

The council has decided on behalf of the community that this year we can’t afford it.

It says fairly that if central traders will get a special benefit they should make a special contribution.

But in matters of trade, traders know best and they have decided they will not benefit.

We should respect their decision and not expect them to pay just to cheer up the rest of us.

n Religious festivity: No quarrel with that either, but if that’s what it’s all about surely the council should ask the Christian community to make a special contribution towards the cost of adorning the city?

Paul Albrecht, Mill Lane, Sidlesham

HOW VERY sad that the city of Chichester should be so poorly supported at what should be a joyful time.

We all realise that financially we are suffering.

Surely it is at such a time that we need something to cheer us up?

Marks and Spencers are in position to contribute greatly.

It is surely tax deductible?

Especially as I recall M&S made a profit of £636m last year.

It is a one-time situation.

It would have been an act of enormous good faith on their part.

Instead they are, in my book, a bunch of Scrooges.

I do hope that all the stores add extra lighting to their windows and hang lanterns outside, as they used to do long ago.

We can still make it work for all of us – especially the children.

Sally H Thomas, Chichester

I WOULD like to pledge £5 towards the money required in order that we can have our Christmas lights in Chichester.

If everyone who shops in Chichester were to do the same we would quickly reach the target of £15,000 and who knows even have some in the kitty which could go towards the lights for the following Christmas.

Please can someone put the wheels in motion immediately in order that the general public can put their hands in their pockets to ensure we get our Christmas lights?

I feel sure there are enough people in Chichester and the surrounding area who would be able to afford giving £5 and then we can hopefully put some of the businesses in Chichester to shame.

Surely if they want us to spend our money in Chichester they should put their hands in their tills.

Why can’t the money be equally divided by EVERY business in Chichester?

Surely there are enough businesses to make the amount each would have to pay fairly minimal and if not, perhaps a portion could be raised by the general public in a bit of fundraising in town by volunteers with tins?

I would certainly donate.

All I know is that my husband and I and our six children, ranging from 16-24 all want to see the lights in our city this Christmas.

If you think my idea is a good one please contact me on 07748 042024 to tell me who I should give my £5 to.

Perhaps one of our local banks could set up an account for the general public to give their donations to.

A Horne (Mrs), Nutbourne

DAMN YOU lot, Chichester businesses.

Just can’t be bothered to dip your hands in your pockets for a few quid for Christmas lights.