Cost control may leave Sark in the dark for Christmas

Friday 10 November 2023

Sark's Christmas lights may not be able to go up in future years after Sark Electricity said it can no longer justify covering all of the costs and manpower involved.

The company has previously paid for the lights and its three employees have spent around three weeks putting the decorations up in early December before taking them down in the New Year.

In a statement shared via social media, SEL's owner explained how it can no longer cover all of those costs itself.

Alan Whitney-Price wrote that: "In past years the financial burden of installing, taking down and covering the electricity costs have all fallen to SEL entirely" and that now "sadly, Sark Electricity will no longer be able to fully fund the Sark Christmas Lights".

The costs include all of the associated manpower as well as fuel and installation.

Mr Whitney-Price said the current cost of living squeeze is being felt by everyone, including businesses offering vital services such as his.

He has offered a glimmer of hope that Sark's Christmas lights will be able to go up and on this year and in the future though, with a rallying call to other businesses and individuals to contribute too.

Pictured: Bustling in the summer, Sark's Avenue is usually lit up with colourful garlands during the Christmas period. 

"SEL budgets are being squeezed all the time in an effort to bring down the price of electricity and we can no longer fully finance this charitable work without support from the community, should it wish the Christmas lights to continue.

"Elsewhere these costs are covered by donations from local business and Government and SEL would fully support such an initiative to be adopted locally.

"The Christmas lights on Sark are managed by the Sark Chamber of Commerce and we encourage residents, business and Government to reach out to them with your support. SEL has offered a donation to get the process rolling and we encourage those that can afford too, to do the same."

Pictured: Father Christmas visits the Bailiwick each year to turn the festive lights on in each of the islands. 

The example Mr Whitney-Price gave of other places where the cost of Christmas lights are covered by donations from multiple sources is a model which both Guernsey and Alderney follow. 

Guernsey's St Peter Port Christmas Lights charity fundraises year-round to pay for the town displays after it was decided some years ago that parish ratepayers should not foot the whole bill. 

Businesses in the town centre are encouraged to contribute with donations being made from businesses and individuals across the island every year to help foot the estimated £30,000 bill. Guernsey Electricity is one of those which contributes to the lights every year but it has never covered the entire cost of manpower of the festive fixture.

The Bridge Christmas lights are funded by donations too - notably from businesses there – while  Alderney's festive display is co-ordinated by businesses there.

Jersey's annual Christmas lights switch-on and Santa Parade, meanwhile, is organised by the Parish of St Helier and will be taking place next Thursday.