Christmas has been cancelled by one council in Kent, but what does this mean for our high streets and could there be more to follow?

As Medway Council looks to tighten its belt by stopping not just the switch-on events but lights on the high streets too, we take a look at what other councils’ plans are.

“We live in tough financial times, but there’s no need for town halls to play Scrooge. It is councils’ financial interests to draw in shoppers to their town centres at Christmas given the benefits of packed car parks to councils’ coffers," were the wise words of the Rt Hon Lord Eric Pickles back in 2010.

Thirteen years on, and it seems the words of the former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is falling on deaf ears.

This week it was revealed that Medway Council will be cutting both its Christmas lights and the switch-on events.

Medway Council leader Vince Maple explained: “This is a disappointing decision but it’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly, but I’m pleased there will still be Christmas trees in every town centre, a number of our libraries will still have community events, and we’ll still have the Dickens market and the pantomime.

“We’ve taken this decision this year, but we will look at options available to us next year, there may be sponsorship routes we can go down. But with the budget pressures we’ve got this year we’ve had to take some immediate action.”

It's a decision that has disappointed local traders, including the owner of Ascot Flowers in Rainham.

Caroline, who didn’t want to give her surname, said: "It is a shame. It gave the town a little bit of a lift in the winter.

"When we have the light switch on this precinct is heaving. It is lovely, you have all the children outside all excited. We make it a community event. It is really sad it will not be going ahead.

"It is just another blow for Rainham. We are fighting a losing battle as it is."

While Tim Bill, from Time Christmas who used to fix the lights, said: “I think a lot of people are going to be upset about it. It’s a sign that Christmas is coming and people want to see these lights in the town because it brings a little bit of cheer.

“They could have introduced timers and things like that to reduce the time they’re actually on.

“They could have reduced the amount of lights they put up so maybe not putting all of them up, just key areas of town.

The owner of hairdressers Xpressions, Nikita Rayner, which is also in the town, added: "It is a real shame. It is really sad they are scrapping it, especially for the children, they all love it up here.

"It will be quite quiet now for businesses but it is the community aspect more than anything."

The Towns MPs are "united in their disappointment" at the decision to cancel the Christmas lights this year.

Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst said: “This is a very disappointing decision by the council to cancel the Christmas lights across Medway, restrict the locally run Rochester’s Artisan Market during Christmas events, and put barriers in place to what high street traders and charities can do this year, causing lots of anguish to all.

“Their decision doesn’t make sense when they are ploughing ahead with Red Routes at a cost of over £850k to the local taxpayer.

“The lights are a relatively small amount, £75k, compared to what the council spends; they should rethink this very poor decision and focus on not wasting money on scheme no one wants”.

Jo James, chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said these events can feel like the start of the festive season for many.

“People need to have that feel good factor or atmosphere to go outside and shop,” she explained. “It should be a family event to look forward to, otherwise there’s no reason for them to go out.

“Businesses and the councils need to be thinking ‘how can we create that?’ It doesn’t necessarily have to be Christmas lights, but there needs to be an occasion for people to go onto the high street.

“If you don’t do that, then it’s just the same town centre as the other 364 days of the year.”

Other councils are still holding events and putting up the lights but have also had to tighten their belts.

Ashford Borough Council revealed it had allocated £50,000 but will instead only be using £40,000 in an attempt to save money, but it wouldn’t rule out cancelling the event.

A spokesman explained: “The lighting displays will comprise of overhead cross-street lighting and feature lighting.

“We understand any concerns about spending council funds on Christmas lights, which also needs to be balanced against the support they represent for businesses in town centres during the Christmas period.

“The council is therefore focused on ensuring value for money in the first instance and assessing options for alternative delivery methods of Christmas lights, although not delivering them remains an option. The budget for 2024 will be reviewed against these factors.”

Gravesham council has kept the same budget for this year’s events but admit it has “changed” how they are putting them on.

A spokesman said: “This year we are focusing on a smaller number of events designed to attract visitors to the town centre and thus support our local businesses.

“Lights switch on will be moving from a Friday night to a Saturday afternoon and evening on November 18, and the rest of the programme will be taking place over one Christmas Big Weekend on December 2 and December 3.”

Last year, multiple displays were axed across Kent for a range of reasons.

In Tenterden, residents were left “gutted” after the festive lights and market for the town was pulled months before it was meant to go ahead due to rising costs.

It wasn’t run by the council, but instead organised by Seren Welch and Tash Mahoney, who were forced to make the difficult decision despite a successful fundraising campaign.

In Herne Bay, the Christmas lights were axed after a failed attempt to raise £50,000 to fund them.

Organisers were left “extremely disappointed” after only managing to muster £346 – the equivalent of 1% – of their target.

So what is the answer? Jo James thinks there is a way forward to keeping our town centres looking more Santa's grotto than Whoville after a visit from the grinch.

She said: “I think a mix of the private and public sector is the best way forward. They should have shared responsibility. Shops need to be asking themselves what, if anything, they can do extra to get people coming to them.”

In Maidstone, as many as 5,000 people attend the switch-ons each Christmas. This year, organisers are once again teaming up with kmfm for the event, which will be hosted on November 16 in Jubilee Square.

One Maidstone Business Improvement District chief executive Michelle Woodland said: “The events are hugely beneficial, and we do see an increase in footfall and sales. We manage our budgets very carefully and they are lean, but we work creatively to provide a free to attend two-hour show.

“We see on average 5,000 people attend each year to mark the official start to the season. It brings local communities together to celebrate the switching on of the festive lights across town.

“Festive Lighting creates a warm and welcoming environment to shop after sunset and there is a safety element to additional lighting that will have a positive impact throughout the festive season.

“I can appreciate that budget restraints by other types of budget holders, in other locations may affect decisions to stop these events and potentially the lights all together and I doubt that it will be an easy decision for anyone to have to make. There are always two sides and although, if other areas are saying they cannot afford or will be saving x number of pounds on their budgets, the impact in those areas will be felt in other ways.

“Local businesses who would have seen higher sales and footfall during the event will miss out and people will choose to shop elsewhere if there is an option to shop, dine or entertain in a more festive feeling area, plus the safety element. The lights signify a season and support the communities to come together to share a positive experience at no or little cost.”

And they're not the only ones full of Christmas cheer.

Dartford council said there was “no question” of it cancelling Christmas this year, with a spokesman adding: “Far from it, it’s one of the biggest opportunities we have to bring our fabulous community together. We know that it can sometimes be a stressful time of year, which is why we are committed to providing as many free events as possible.

“We have always put on lots for young families, and this year is no different. Our big Christmas lights switch-on, carol concert, and Santa’s tour events are all free to attend, and tickets are just £5 per person to see the big man himself at Dartford council’s Santa’s House.”

In Tonbridge and Malling, the council pays for the lights and the event but it is organised by the Tonbridge Rotary. The funding has not been cut.

A spokesman for the local authority said: “Christmas is a good time for retailers generally and provides a big boost for our high streets. While we don’t have hard evidence that Christmas lights contribute directly to an increase in takings we do know they are very popular and help create a festive atmosphere which undoubtedly adds to the overall seasonal appeal of town centres.

“We know Christmas lights are hugely popular with thousands of people turning out every year to see them switched on. As a council we believe this is one important way we can invest in our towns and bring some seasonal cheer to residents and visitors.”

What do you think? Should council’s cut these activities for more important services? Comment below.