Spalding town centre will be more attractive to shoppers in the run-up to Christmas thanks to a financial lift enabling a series of events.
Spalding Town Centre Management Board (STCMB) has agreed funding of more than £5,000 from the Springfields S106 pot.
The cash injection comes soon after Baytree Garden Centre at Weston extended its agreement to donate a Christmas tree for Hall Place, having originally said that it would not be able to supply one this year due to a shortage of larger trees.
STCMB is giving:
- Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce £2,600 to run the Christmas Market on Sunday, November 27 (10am-5pm). It will include more than 20 stalls and, subject to approval, children’s rides in Sheep Market.
- £1,500 to Tulip Radio to provide entertainment on four consecutive Saturdays
- 1,000 towards new lights for the Christmas tree, which was arranged by South Holland district councillor Jack McLean
STCMB chairman Matt Clark said: “Jan Whitbourn at Tulip Radio is passionate about events in South Holland and was an obvious choice to run these activities. We are very happy to be helping to fund the costs.
“Our board has suggested that there is an opportunity in respect of the Christmas tree, which will be the focus of the events operated by Tulip Radio during the Christmas period.
“Our thoughts are to improve the lighting and showcase the tree which is kindly donated each year by Baytree.
“We have started the ball rolling and have agreed £1,000 towards the purchase of additional lighting.
“We have written to the members of the district council individually, as well as Spalding Town Forum, asking for a further donation in the region of £1,500 in total to achieve the final goal.”
So far three district councillors – Harry Drury (Spalding St Mary’s), Pete Williams (St Paul’s) and Graham Dark (Spalding St John’s) – have each pledged £300 from their designated member’s budget.
