Barrow Christmas lights committee holds first meeting

A group of people, including some from the world of entertainment, have stepped forward, along with the Evening Mail, to put on this year's Christmas build up event.

Barrow folk were upset to hear that Barrow Borough Council had pulled the plug on the Barrow Christmas lights switch-on celebration event due to huge public spending cuts.

The council is decorating the town centre with lights as usual, but it was the switch-on event that would not happen as they have to trim £2.37m from the budget.

It had been hoped that the newly-formed Barrow Business Improvement District group would save the day but its board voted seven to five against it.

When the Evening Mail broke the news that there would be no Christmas lights switch-on, through social media members of the community said they wanted to get together to put on an alternative arrangement.

The group has met council chiefs who have offered them support and backing for their event.

Entertainer Denis Horan, who has performed at many Barrow Christmas lights switch-on events over the years, is a member of the committee.

The group got together last night to meet one other and draw up the Christmas plans.

Mr Horan said: "We want to do this for the community.

"It's very important that Barrow has a Christmas celebration, we don't have a carnival anymore. All the towns have a switch-on, even the villages.

"It's an event to kick off Christmas and the families love it.

"We want to have local performers and local children involved in this event."

Leader of Barrow Borough Council, Councillor Dave Pidduck, said unfortunately the council cannot afford to fund a large-scale switch-on like last year with the huge cuts.

Mr Pidduck said the council is backing the committee and will offer them what help it can and he hopes it is a great success.

He said: "This is another example of how the community rallies together. When there is a situation, they respond to it."