Cardiff’s Christmas lights switch-on event, which was under threat due to rising costs, has now been confirmed to take place this year thanks to the efforts of the council in securing a sponsor. The festive cheer that the event brings has been restored, with support from a sponsor to ensure the celebrations go ahead. Earlier this month, the local Welsh charity Calon Hearts highlighted the financial strain they were facing, potentially leading to the cancellation of the popular Christmas lights switch-on in Llandaff. Without a sponsor, the event was at risk of not being able to proceed due to increased council fees compared to last year.
Hosting such events comes with various costs for organisers, including council fees for services such as securing a Traffic Regulation Order, providing staff, and renting council-owned spaces like car parks. Previously, Cardiff Council used to offer some services for free, such as road closures and staff support. However, due to budget cuts, this is no longer feasible. Councillor Dan De’Ath, cabinet member for strategic planning, climate change, and transport, explained that while they would prefer to offer these services for free, the escalating costs in areas like education and social care make it unsustainable.
To address the funding challenges for Christmas lights switch-on events across Cardiff, the council has secured a sponsor to cover the necessary charges, enabling the events to proceed as planned. Urban Centric, a development company operating in Cardiff, has volunteered to sponsor events in areas including Rhiwbina, Fairwater, Llandaff, and Radyr & Llanishen. Andrew Woods, managing director of Urban Centric, expressed their pleasure in supporting the events, emphasizing the significance of spreading goodwill and cheer during the Christmas season. The sponsorship will ensure that residents in these areas can enjoy the festive events, adding a touch of Christmas spirit to Cardiff.
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