Work begins on city’s Christmas light show
THE task of installing this year’s Christmas lights in Leicester was set to begin today.
Contractors working for the city council are to put up 16,000 lamps in main shopping streets.
The council has spent more than £38,000 on upgrading its stock of decorations and replacing worn-out fixtures and fittings.
The work means that Horsefair Street and Humberstone Gate will have a new look this year.
In Green Dragon Square, at Leicester Market, illuminated garlands will be strung between the lamp-columns, while the trees will be lit up with pea-lights.
A 50ft Christmas tree will be placed at the Clock Tower and decorated with white lights and colourful baubles.
The traditional nativity scene and a tableau depicting the tales of Narnia will be installed in Town Hall Square.
Deputy city mayor Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: “Although it’s going to be a very different Christmas for all of us this year, our lighting team and contractors will be working hard to make sure that Leicester looks magical throughout the festive season.”
Decorating the city centre, including Town Hall Square and about 20 streets, will take four weeks.
Due to restrictions on gatherings, there will be no event to switch on the Christmas lights this year.
Instead, the lights will simply be switched on and will remain until the new year.
The lights will be installed early in the morning and at weekends to “minimise inconvenience to road users”, said a council spokesman.