£10k appeal to boost town's festive lights

The Lytham Business Partnership is looking to raise £10,000 and is inviting contributions via a specially-set up page on the Go Fund Me website.

The switch-on will take place on Saturday, November 19 and Lightpool, the division of Blackpool Council responsible for the Illuminations, is designing and installing the Christmas lights throughout the town.

Business group spokesman Helen Vavoso said: “With brand new lights and infrastructure, the costs this year are higher than normal and we are calling on the business and residents of Lytham to invest in the new scheme and switch-on event. We need to raise £10,000 and I’m sure we can achieve this with the fantastic community spirit we have in Lytham.

“The aim of the new lights scheme is to go for a traditional look and the first phase will cover Clifton Square including a 30ft tree with new warm white lights, Market Square and the length of Clifton Street.

“We receive a £3,000 contribution from Fylde Council and the remainder we need to raise.”

Donations can be by clicking on www.gofundme.com and searching ‘Lytham Xmas’ or by dropping in at Spago, 7 Dicconson Terrace, with any cheques made payable to Lytham Business Partnership.

The switch on event, which starts at 2pm, will again be organised by Cuffe and Taylor, the team behind the Lytham Festival. The celebrity headliner is set to be named shortly but acts already set to take part are Rarity School of Dance and Drama, Blackpool Brass, The Soul Convicts and The Deadbeats.

Plans are also well advanced for the festive lights switch-on in St Annes, on Saturday, November 26. The switch will be pulled at 5.30pm following an afternoon of entertainment featuring acts including various local school choirs and cast members from the Lowther Pavilion panto.