Ellen Storrar, BID Manager at Be Richmond
The 19th of November marked the official start to the festive season in Richmond, when the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Julia Cambridge, switched on the town centre’s new Christmas Lights from Be Richmond’s pop-up winter garden in Whittaker Avenue.
The newly designed Christmas lights scheme is classical and timeless, incorporating warm white, gold and silver lights to reflect Richmond’s architecture and surroundings.
As well as the traditional banners across the main thoroughfares of the Quadrant, George Street and Hill Street, lights have been extended out into previously unlit areas, including Parkshot, Hill Rise, Petersham Road and Church Court, to encourage visitors to explore the whole town and discover some of Richmond’s hidden gems.
The eye-catching stag deer installation outside the station was designed especially for Richmond, with a nod to our Royal Park, and provides a superb photo opportunity for visitors as they pass through this important gateway to the town centre. A set of 3m-high illuminated angel wings adds another ‘selfie spot’ near the riverside.
Importantly, the lights have been supplied and installed by a specialist Christmas lighting company that places a strong emphasis on the use of energy-saving LED technology. LEDs consume 70% less energy when compared to traditional bulbs, and the combined wattage of the Richmond scheme is 8200w (about the same as four domestic irons).
Be Richmond’s aim when selecting a new scheme was to bring residents and visitors a stunning and unique Christmas lights display that promotes community engagement and brings footfall to the town centre to support the local economy, whilst giving due consideration to the economic and environmental impact of such a scheme in these challenging times.
