Derby’s new festive lights elicit varied public reactions

Derby city centre is now adorned with a new festive installation, creating a Christmas atmosphere for shoppers. The new display, officially illuminated on Saturday, features a light trail throughout the city and has drawn diverse responses from residents. Among the elements of the display are illuminated presents, a Christmas tree situated on the Market Place, and what is described as the UK’s largest light-up Santa. Derby City Council allocated £102,000 for this year’s decorations, with an additional £10,000 contributed to the light trail. This trail was developed collaboratively by the council, the Cathedral Quarter, and St Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Carol Clifton, 63, of Long Eaton, expressed approval, stating: “I think it’s really nice, I think they should be proud of it, the whole thing is lovely, it’s got more atmosphere than other places we’ve been to.” Conversely, Anne Taranto, 68, from Derby, commented that the adjacent environment, including the vacant Assembly Rooms car park and the shuttered market, “sort of spoils the atmosphere.” Taranto further remarked: “The Santa gets a 10 out of 10 and I think it’s just a shame the market place is as it is at the moment.” She concluded: “It’s the surround that I think detracts from what the council have tried to do but I certainly think Christmas without lights would be very sad so I’m glad they’ve done it.” The Christmas lights also drew criticism from Charlie Pearson, a German sausage stall holder. He was relocated from his customary position on the Corn Market to accommodate the new lighting installations. Pearson has operated his festively-decorated German Bratwurst cabin in the city centre for 14 years. However, he was compelled to downsize to a trailer and relocate to a less prominent area to facilitate one of the light installations. In a statement, Derby City Council explained: “The introduction of the festive light trail means that the Corn Market site is unavailable as this site is a key area for the light trail.” Commenting on the illuminated arch now situated near his former location, Pearson stated: “I’m not a malicious person but I’m just totally gobsmacked by the whole thing to be honest.” Not all shoppers, however, have expressed enthusiasm for the lights. Jolene Hodgkinson, 48, also from Derby, remarked: “(It’s) very disappointing, as always really, compared to some cities, like Nottingham. I think Derby has always been quite disappointing.” She added: “Seeing that it’s replaced the sausage man I do think it’s quite disappointing.”