Revealed: The cost of Christmas lights in the Portsmouth area this year

And with all the hardships faced this year they are a welcome sight for shoppers around the Portsmouth area after leaving a second lockdown.

In past years Christmas light switch-ons have become highly anticipated events - drawing in large crowds as well as some famous faces.

Even though these events have been postponed this year there's still the hope that some festive sparkle will help boost trade for local shops and traders.

Councillor Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council's deputy leader, said: 'We know having spoken regularly to our local independent traders that it makes a real difference to them having the Christmas lights around the city.

'This year we're really pleased to have been able to extend them into smaller shopping areas. We have got new lights this year in London Road and Fratton Road so a thank you to the ward councillors who helped to support their local shopping areas.

'It's more important than ever to support our local, independent shops.'

But how much are councils spending to light up the towns this year?

In Portsmouth this year Christmas trees can be found in Guildhall Square, Commercial Road, Palmerston Road, Cosham High Street, at the Paulsgrove shops and in Drayton. And many other roads including Copnor Road, Winter Road, Fawcett Road and Marmion Road have been adorned with lights.

The cost of these are included in a £61,000 contract which covers light replacements, repairs, maintenance, switch-ons and storage - as well as five of the trees. Electricity costs for the lights are expected to cost £1,100.

But the cost for the tree in the Guildhall Square alone is £3,350 including installation and disposal.

And this year £3,847 was spent on a new tree pit in Palmerston Road as the previous one was no longer fit for purpose. It is expected to last 20 years.

Similar to Portsmouth, Gosport Borough Council has a contract in place for its lights, that costs £15,000 a year. Last year it spent £23,000 on new lights which are expected to last three years.

And two real trees has set the authority back £7,000 this year.

Fareham Borough Council has spent £12,000 putting up lights and decorations this Christmas. Two years ago it spent £49,665 on new lights that will last five years.

A total of five Christmas trees will be found around Havant this year at a cost of £1,250 to the council.

Its lights are provided as part of an overall contract agreement with Norse South East - the cost for which wasn't provided. The lights, which are battery operated, cost the council £5,000 to buy.

Portsmouth

Number of Christmas trees: Six

Cost of Christmas trees: £3,350 for the one in Guildhall Square. The five others come under a £61,000 contract for the year for trees and lights including repairs, maintenence and storage. £3,847 was spent on a new tree pit for Palmerston Road

Cost of putting up and taking down lights: Included in the £61,000 contract

Cost of lights: Included in the £61,000 contract

Cost of electricity: £1,100

Total this year: £69,297

Gosport

Number of Christmas trees: Two

Cost of Christmas trees: £7,000

Cost of putting up and taking down lights: £15,000

Cost of lights: £23,000 (spent last year to last around three years)

Cost of electricity: Around £173

Total this year: £22,173

Fareham

Number of Christmas trees: Two

Cost of Christmas trees: Information not given

Cost of putting up and taking down lights: £12,800

Cost of lights: £49,665 (spent in 2018 to last around five years)

Cost of electricity: Not known

Total this year: £12,800

Havant

Number of Christmas trees: Five

Cost of Christmas trees: £1,250

Cost of putting up and taking down lights: Information not given - part of an overall contract

Cost of lights: £5,000

Cost of electricity: £287 for batteries

Total this year: £6,537

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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