Chamber Trying to Bring Festive ‘Sparkle’ to High Street
Christmas lights at Rushden?

Will there be Christmas lights in Rushden High Street this year – or will it be a repeat performance of last years’ dismal scene, when all but a handful of traders decided to leave the sparkle out of the Festive season.

Rushden and District Chamber of Trade are trying hard to bring a little colour and Christmas spirit to the High Street this year. But at least two thirds of High Street’s 60 traders will have to pledge their support before the chamber will act.

The half dozen shops near Duck Street who decided to “go it alone” with their own private scheme when last year’s plan for an overall scheme were dropped have already agreed to join in with any chamber decorations.

Mr. J. W. Brown, president of the chamber, told the “Echo” that every trader in the High Street would be approached with full details. They will be given a deadline to reply.

“If we get the necessary two-thirds to support us it will work out at about £5 per trader. This will include the cost for the month the lights will be up and the lights will be turned on for eight hours a day.

Support

“If we do not get enough people supporting us we will not go ahead with the scheme,” he said.

The chamber scheme includes 13 strings of coloured lights strung across the High Street. Each string will consist of 40 bulbs.

“We will not be putting the Father Christmas figures up this year. They were quite hopeless,” he said.

When last year’s scheme fell flat many traders told the “Echo” that they would probably have supported a scheme but they had not been approached. This should not be the case this year.

Mr. Brown stressed that they wanted everybody to join in. it was not necessary to be a member of the Chamber of Trade.