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Traders want council to light the way
CHRISTMAS has been cancelled in St John’s Wood because of the credit crunch.
Independent traders in the upmarket high street say they cannot afford to stump-up for the traditional festive celebrations – including hanging lights and tree – due to a drop in trade.
They are calling on Westminster Council to show a bit of Christmas spirit to bring some festive cheer to the area.
Beauty shop owner Raymond Altback, the longest-serving trader in St John’s Wood, said: “This is a flagship high street that brings in astronomical rates for the council.
“We are all paying between £500 and £800 a week. What do we get for that? Not much. I think the council should contribute towards the lights – I think it’s bizarre that they don’t.”
Another long-standing trader, who did not want to be named, said: “I used to collect funds for the lights years ago – it was about £150 each, depending on how many we got.
“But this year there were so many excuses. I got fed up with begging.”
Councillor Audrey Lewis, cabinet member for customers and neighbourhoods, said some ward councillors were using their ward budgets – £100,000 wallets spent on whatever the residents want – to pay for light displays. |
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