Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
It’s beginning to look
@Gerry_warren
Huge crowds gathered in Canterbury city centre as it was lit up for Christmas.
Undeterred by the cold rain, they celebrated the festive illuminations with the cast from the Marlowe Theatre pantomime.
The switch- on last Thursday was organised by the Canterbury Business Improvement District group (BID) which funded the £70,000 lights display through levies charged on shopkeepers and businesses.
As well as a dazzling illuminations, which this year extended into Castle Street and St Dunstan’s, there was also musical entertainment from Bamboozle and the Canterbury Community Gospel Choir.
The cast of Dick Whittington, including Stephen Mulhern and Ben Roddy, were joined on the stage in Longmarket by Lord Mayor Cllr George Metcalfe for the lightup at 6.45pm. BID boss Bob Jones says about 3,500 people were at the switch-on, which was slightly down on last year when organisers struggled with the huge crowds. He said: “It’s still very good considering the miserable weather. “We have learned from the previous events and this time we were much better organised to make it run smoothly and safely, which will be used as a template for the future. “The lights look fabulous and I’m sure businesses benefited on the night from trade brought in by the extra people in the city centre. “The fact is, without the funding from BID, which is paying £350,000 over five years for the lighting contract, there wouldn’t be any festive display in the city centre, because the council can’t afford it any more.”
The BID levy raises about £500,000 from businesses in the city centre and receives another £50,000 other sources. The charges are collected along with business by East Kent Services.
Among the things it has funded city centre street ambassadors a floral display which helped
win a top award in Britain in Bloom.