An appeal to raise £56,000 to cover the cost of Christmas celebrations in the city has been achieved thanks to generous donations from businesses and organisations across Peterborough.
Two weeks ago, the city council announced that it was still £22,000 off its sponsorship target to cover the cost of the Christmas switch-on event, Christmas tree and lights.
Councillors agreed in February that the cost of the celebrations would be covered by sponsorship as part of a number of decisions to deliver a balanced budget for the current financial year.
A number of businesses, organisations and individuals have now pledged sponsorship. In addition, many city councillors have agreed to contribute money from their Community Leadership Fund – a pot of money they can use each year on projects which benefit the people of their ward.
The sponsors of the Christmas tree and lights are:
- Peterborough Family Hubs (headline sponsor)
- Garfield Builders
- Medesham Homes
- Woodstone Fire Ltd
- Howden Turbo UK
- Hudson Homes Estate Agents
- Fuchsia Homecare Peterborough
- The Cresset
- Pick Everard
- Showcase Cinema de Lux Peterborough
- Willmott Dixon
- Keepmoat
- Persimmon Homes
- TLC Signs
Sponsors of the Christmas lights switch on event are:
As a result, the Christmas lights switch-on event will go ahead on Friday 22 November.
Councillor Mohammed Jamil, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Governance, said: “It is fantastic news that we have met our sponsorship target and we can now get on with putting everything in place for the switch-on event next month.
“A big thank you to every person and organisation that has pledged to support the event. Collectively you have saved Christmas in Peterborough and ensured that thousands of residents and visitors from further afield can enjoy the switch-on event and spending time in the city centre over the Christmas and New Year period.”
The switch-on event will include live music and entertainment on stage, culminating with the switching on of the lights on the Christmas tree and across the city centre.
Also taking place will be Peterborough Cathedral's Christmas market, open from 1pm to 8pm on Friday 22 November and 10am to 5pm on Saturday 23 November. Some of the best local traders and artisans in the area will be in the city for the event.
Further details will also be announced in the coming weeks about additional markets and activities due to take place in the city centre in the run-up to Christmas.
