NEW Winter Lights will draw-in shoppers and visitors from Halloween through to Valentine’s Day
Boscombe precinct has had a spooky makeover! Adorned with a series of ghosts and pumpkins, today marks the first day of Winter Lights in the High Street. The scheme, created by town centre lighting specialists Gala Lights, on behalf of Bournemouth Coastal BID, was switched-on last night and will remain in place until spring 2018. It will see two seasonal changes, on 25th November for a Christmas makeover, featuring stars and baubles, and on 20th January with the addition of hearts for Valentine’s day.
The increasing popularity of Halloween as a retail opportunity has helped increase demand for ‘Winter Lighting’ – bringing the traditional Christmas lights season forwards 2-3 weeks to incorporate Halloween too. Winter Lights are installed mid-October and remain in place throughout the dark winter months until spring, when the evenings start to get lighter.
Stefan Krause, Bournemouth Coastal BID Manager, says: ‘The vision of Boscombe is to create a magical illuminated experience to the area, not only for Christmas, but for our other fantastic events like Halloween and Valentines. This has been delivered magnificently by Gala Lights.’
Christopher Stille, Gala Lights Managing Director, says: “We’re increasingly being asked to design core “Winter Lighting” schemes which can accommodate seasonal decorations, or which include a colour-change to reflect each retail season. Boscombe’s carefully designed series of Winter Lights will draw-in shoppers from Halloween through to spring, and provide an opportunity to engage and inspire visitors from afar.”
Boscombe’s Winter Lights were installed last night, by local Electrical Installation and Maintenance company Event Power Engineering, who will be responsible for the seasonal adaptations being made at Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
Dom Brown, Director Event Power Engineering, says: “We’re a local business and are proud to be responsible for the installation and maintenance of Boscombe’s new Winter Lights. We think the Halloween lights look great, but are already looking forward to installing the Christmas and Valentine’s Day decorations!”
