Morecambe Town Council has awarded a grant of £9,000 to Morecambe Business Improvement District (BID) for the winter cone lighting scheme on Morecambe Promenade.
Over the past two winters multi-coloured light cones have illuminated Marine Road Central with their soft, tasteful light and ever-changing patterns.
In place from early November to the middle of February, the lights have provided a colourful backdrop to Christmas shopping and brightened up the long winter nights, receiving much praise from local residents.
Originally funded in partnership by Morecambe BID and Morecambe Sparkle CIC (the organisation behind Baylight Festival), the return of the lights this winter was under threat following the end of the County Council’s Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth Programme – a major source of funding for Morecambe Sparkle.
With the lighting taking a hammering from the elements each year, maintenance is a never-ending process that comes at substantial cost. However, the Town Council has now agreed to cover some of the funding shortfall by making a £9,000 award from its Community Grants fund, acknowledging the economic and wellbeing benefits the lighting has brought to the town.
On awarding the grant Jason Slater, Chair of Morecambe Town Council’s Community Grants Committee, said: ‘’The impact of the winter light scheme on Marine Road over the past three years has been undeniable. Resident feedback has been great, with people not only commenting on their attractiveness, but the effect they have on their mood and wellbeing, while businesses have also felt the benefits.
‘’This affordable, small-scale, environmentally friendly nod to the illuminations of yesteryear are helping restore pride in place for local people and therefore Morecambe Town Council is pleased to be helping secure their return this year.’
John O’Neill, manager of Morecambe BID, said: ‘’One of the few consistent themes people have expressed a wish to see a return to Morecambe is the Illuminations. Whilst we cannot compete with Blackpool we can provide a sense of belonging and the fact that our scheme is Morecambe’s own.
‘’We know from a lot of positive feedback that people especially love the cones and that is why we have decided to extend the time they are up by a month.’’
Morecambe BID are now investigating extending the lighting scheme further down the Promenade and towards Morecambe’s West End, as well as ways to further future-proof the lighting and minimise subsequent repair costs.
Lancaster woman honours her friend with beach wheelchair charity cycle ride
Expanded Armed Forces weekend in Morecambe receives £14k boost
Lancaster University retains top spot in North West England in Complete University Guide
Family announces Morecambe gin shop will close
Canal towpath on iconic Lune Aqueduct closed due to sinkhole
New sensory trolley arrives to reduce distress for patients at Lancaster hospital
LISTEN: Morecambe twins, 10, release their first single
LISTEN: Lancaster fundraiser can't wait to get 'quacking' on inflatable duck canal trip
Family 'relieved' as police reopen investigation into Lancaster woman's death
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Party and parade in the sunshine at joyful Morecambe Pride
New community-run ‘Library of Things’ opens in Lancaster
PHOTOS and VIDEO: D-Day hero opens hub for Forces veterans in Lancaster on 102nd birthday
Crews tackle pan fire in Lancaster
658 knives recovered during week of action including Lancaster and Morecambe
Eric Morecambe look-a-like competition ‘with a twist’ to be held at Art Fair
On-call firefighter recruitment opens across Lancashire
Fines for motorists who enter Lancaster bus gate as camera comes into force
Morecambe seafront pub given go-ahead for outdoor later opening
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Police chase scenes filmed in Morecambe for TV drama The Bay
Danger warning after cyclists targeted for anti-social behaviour at Lancaster race track
