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Issue:-  28 November 2014

Southport Christmas Lights 2014
Photographs by Patrick Trollope.

THE Christmas Lights are now on, following a fantastic day and evening of entertainment, starting off Southport's Christmas build up. It is one of the most magical times of year and many businesses on the famous Lord Street and throughout the Town Centre are hoping it will also be a good one for trade. The Switch On took place on Saturday, 22 November 2014, but it nearly didn't happen, due to the increased costs, thanks to ever increasing demands associated with the likes of health and safety regulations, and Sefton Council facing more cuts, but the Switch On was saved. This year, the Southport BID Company, who have taken over the funding of the Lights; the town now has over 500,000 brand new lights, ensuring the Town will sparkle once again. "Thankfully the magic of Christmas has been saved and we now hope people will follow." one of the businesses told us on Lord Street. Another business owner added:- "We have been losing businesses all over the place, so the loss of the lights for Christmas would have been a death blow for the Town. We need the cheer that the lights bring to the Town, on dark evenings and nights. Also the festive activities that will be taking place, as Christmas approaches, should bring much needed customers in to the Town Centre." The Light Switch on, as you can see from our photos in this edition and also on the videos we uploaded on our Facebook Page, attracted a large crowd, that was, at first, slow to build, but as it got darker more and more people flocked into the Town Centre to see the famous faces press the plunger! As the event did not have a parade, this year's Switch on Stage included a massive TV screen, which was based on Lord Street, allowing far more people to see the acts performing. Other attractions included 3 Wise Men on real camels, dance acts, side show entertainers and a few Christmas stalls. In The Atkinson, the Southport String Ensemble performed live in the foyer. But it was Heart FM, on the Main stage, which got the most attention, hosted by Joel Ross from Heart North West and Liz McClarnon, former Atomic Kitten. The 2 highlight acts on the main stage were the world famous group, The Drifters, who gave a fantastic selection of Christmas numbers, one of them can be seen on our Facebook Page. The other was the band, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, who got the Town dancing... The other acts, who performed on the main stage were, Myth of Unity, The Dice Men, Baby Ballet, King and Scholes, Voice Plus, Street Beatz, Rock Choir, Barbieshop.

To see our photographic coverage of this event, please click on  this LINK now!

These are just a few comments about the event that we have received so far...

Sharon Smith commented to us that:- "Unfortunately I missed out because I was working in Boots, on Chapel Street. However the atmosphere was excellent. Thank you to the band for coming to store. I am now in the mood for Christmas. Xx"

Abi Yaffe commented:- "Yes - the drifters were fantastic! The lights are beautiful."

Robert Coppell:- "Actually very good this year. So that means bigger and even better next year"

Michelle Suzanne:- "Fantastic this year and well done to everyone involved."

Christine Barrett said:- "Enjoyed this year’s switch on, brilliant."

The most important part of the night was the Switch On, and pushing the plunger was Coronation Street stars Ryan Thomas(Jason Grimshaw) and Katie McGlynn (Sinead Tinker), plus former Corrie favourite Ken Morley (King Bumble) and Kay Purcell (Carabosse) from the Southport Theatre Panto, Sleeping Beauty. But no Christmas Switch on could be without Father Christmas and the Mayor and Mayoress of Sefton.

So far not all were impressed though as Degs Hesketh added:- "I walked down Lord Street at 5pm today, apart from the tree there were more lights on the trees in the summer? What’s happened to the lights? Or is the tree it? Or are there technical problems as was expecting some of the trees along the road lit. Nice tree though..."

So have the new lights put you in the mood for some retail therapy?

Will it get you out to have a bite to eat or some refreshments in Southport’s fantastic coffee shops and restaurants?

Will you go to the Christmas market that will be running over 6 December to 21 December 2014, or go to one of the Town’s many night clubs, or pubs for your Christmas party?

Let us know if you think it is Southport’s time to sparkle this festive season by emailing:- news24@southportreporter.com, with your views and thoughts of the 'Christmas Lights Switch On' and the planned festive delights today!

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