A £4,000 shortfall means Burnham-On-Sea’s display of Christmas lights may have to be scaled down this year unless more money can be found during the next few weeks.
Burnham’s Chamber of Trade, which organises the colourful display along the High Street and adjoining roads, told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week that the display may have to be cut back.
Organiser Mike Ham explained: “We have received £3,000 of grant funding from the Town Council and the District Council towards the annual cost of holding the display, but it costs £10,000 overall.”
“The Chamber has dug into its reserves to find a further £3,000, but we are £4,000 short. We’re therefore considering having to cut back this year’s display for this reason.”
The annual bill covers the cost of testing, installing and dismantling the lights, plus replacing and repairing old lights, where necessary. The work is carried out on a cost-basis by a local contractor.
The Chamber has therefore issued an appeal for help in raising the extra cash. It is appealing for sponsors to come forward and is also keen for local businesses who are not current members of the group to join and help reduce the shortfall.
Chamber of Trade Chairman Geoff Shickle told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We want to put on a good festive display with our dented resources. We’re appealing to local firms who are not currently members to join us and help generate the missing funding. Full membership costs £40 and associate membership costs just £20.”
Further details about Burnham Chamber of Trade are available here or by calling Tom Ashton on 01278 786726.
