Purpose

Christmas Lights are part of the long-standing
tradition of festive shopping in city centres, attractive light
displays draw crowds, increasing foot traffic to local shops,
restaurants, and markets.
Having Christmas infrastructure allows Doncaster Council to hold
public light switch-on events which have been shown to boost
footfall and retail spend in Doncaster city centre. For Christmas
2025, the Christmas Light event will form part of a wider programme
that will seek to generate private sponsorship and be the
model utilised annually going forward. It will take its learning
from the successful Remake Learning series of festivals. Organised
by City of Doncaster Council in partnership with local charities,
businesses, schools, libraries, museums, and community groups, the
Remake Learning Festival has previously attracted more
than 10,000 participants who explored themes spanning arts and
crafts, science and technology, outdoor learning, history, youth
voice, and professional development.
The Christmas 2025 event would concentrate around Artificial
Intelligence activities and to tie in major City Centre projects
such as the Gateway One development as well as align with Right Up
Our Street’s Festival of Lights event.
Whilst a Christmas light provision will be required beyond
Christmas 2025, there is the opportunity to continue working with
the previous supplier on a short-term contract utilising products
previously used in Doncaster and enjoyed by the business and
visitor communities. This will deliver the scheme at a
significantly smaller cost due to the products being manufactured
prior to inflation led price
rises over recent years.

Content

To procure a 1 year contract with Blachere
Illuminations to
deliver a Christmas light scheme in Doncaster City
Centre.

Alternative options considered

Alternative Options considered:

(Option B) Fully revisit the market to procure a multi-year
contract.

(Option C) Have no Christmas infrastructure beyond the real dressed
tree on Sir Nigel Gresley Square and the artificial trees on the
Market Square and utilise a smaller amount of funding to enhance
the wider Christmas offer through greater event and street base
activity – Choirs, brass bands, dance recitals.

(Option D) Have no Christmas infrastructure at all