Councils working on new Christmas light switch on plan after negative feedback from Kenilworth businesses

By James Smith 30th Jun 2025

Local councils are working on a plan for this year's Christmas light switch ons in Kenilworth (image via CJ's)
Local councils are working on a plan for this year's Christmas light switch ons in Kenilworth (image via CJ's)

The debate over Kenilworth's annual Christmas light switch on rumbles on as the local councils look for a solution that will not negatively impact the town's businesses.

Last year's Warwick Road event brought some 4,000 people to the town centre, but some businesses said they actually made less money than the day before as their shopfronts were blocked from view.

Business owners told Nub News the events should be a chance for them to show off what they do, but instead they were "hidden from view" by the stalls and rides through the town centre.

The event is organised by Warwick District Council, which has been working with its colleagues at Kenilworth Town Council (KTC) to try and find a solution.

"Cllrs Marsh and Stevens also recently attended a meeting with Warwick District Council, the town council and Kenilworth Chamber of Trade," Cllr Andrew Milton said at a recent KTC meeting. 

"That was really to focus on ways to strengthen links with the business community and to address some of the concerns raised about town centre events and the impact on local businesses which can be mixed depending on where you are situated as a business."

Cllr Mark Stevens added: "It was an interesting meeting, quite challenging I would say. 

"The principle of the meeting was to discuss events and feedback from previous times, particularly around Christmas time."

Councillors said a new draft plan for the lights switch on was being worked on, with one suggestion being the stalls and rides alternate from one side of the road year on year - thus only blocking half the businesses in theory.

Plans to move the stage along the road have also been discussed. 

Cllr Kate Dickson said further feedback was being sought from the businesses in the town centre.

"I understand this is a difficult and problematic question as to how we get a really good Christmas light switch on event on Warwick Road and I hope that through your hard work and endeavours that we are able to have that," Cllr James Kennedy said. 

"Hopefully by the next [KTC] meeting - 31 July - we can have a clear plan of what is going to happen."

Warwick District Council told Nub News last year it would be taking on feedback and reviewing the event ahead of 2025.

     

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