New lights coming as community take over High Street Christmas switch on
By James Smith 12th Aug 2025
£6,000 is set to be spent on new LED lights for the High Street ahead of this year's Christmas light switch on.
As in previous years, Kenilworth is set to have two light switch on events this year - one on Warwick Road and the other on High Street.
However, the latter will now be run by the community and not the district council.
Speaking at the most recent Kenilworth Town Council meeting, Cllr Peter Jones explained: "Warwick District Council are no longer prepared to organise our High Street switch on - just the High Street, not Warwick Road.
"They were quite happy that we looked for organisers on the Old Town Festival committee."
The town council has already met with the new organisers and the illuminations committee to start working on the plans for 2025.
The group hopes to spread the event further along the road and perhaps also incorporate the Kenilworth Pound in the festivities.
New lights are needed for 2025 as the existing ones have fallen into disrepair after being left out all year.
Cllr Jones continued: "We have noticed and have had comments that the High Street lights look pretty feeble, even in the dark!
"When they first came around six years ago they were very impressive.
"They have aged - like me - and have deteriorated - like me - and should not have been left out all year.
"We are looking for funding to replace these lights and have sought quotes from different contractors."
A local contractor has been found and the council will purchase and insure the lights, with the illuminations committee expected to make a donation towards them.
The 700 metres of lights will be spread around the road.
Cllr Zoe Leventhal asked whether the old lights would still be utilised, even if they are not as bright as they once were.
More details of the High Street light switch on will be released closer to the time.
Meanwhile the debate over the Warwick Road event continues, with a new plan for the event yet to be revealed as business owners ask for their shopfronts not to be blocked.
The High Street switch on is planned for Friday 28 November 2025.
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