Traders have won their battle to put the sparkle back into Christmas.

Seasonal spirit will return to the centre of Brighton and Hove this year thanks to a deal between Same Sky, a community arts company, and the North Laine Traders' Association (NLTA).

It was thought there was no possibility that North Laine traders could afford a Christmas lights display, despite Brighton and Hove City Council pledging to match money raised.

A full traditional display would cost about £30,000 for a fixed three-year contract - far outside the budget of the independent shopkeepers.

Next year it is hoped money collected from traders through a Business Improvement District scheme will pay for lights, but for months it was feared Christmas would have to be cancelled this year.

Now Brighton arts organisation Same Sky has saved the day with a planned display of lights strung up in the north-to-south North Laine streets for this year which will only cost about £8,000 to £9,000.

The company, which is responsible for Brighton's yearly Burning the Clocks lantern festival, plans to use the compass logo of the North Laine to create a series of simple but beautiful white motifs throughout the shopping district.

Half the cash will come from the council, £2,500 will come from NLTA funds and association chairman Peter Stocker aims to raise the rest through £50 to £75 pledges from traders on streets where there will be lights.

Mr Stocker said: "Same Sky is a great company and have come up with a display specific to our requirements.

"It's really good news.

"Everybody realises the importance of getting into the Christmas spirit.

"It's been a difficult year but that's even more reason to do all we can to make Christmas a success."

Brighton and Hove was shamed last year when it was voted by Radio 5 Live listeners as having the worst decorations in the country.

The Argus has joined the NLTA and the Lanes Business Network to spearhead a campaign to turn things around in time for this festive season.

A purpose-built Argus Christmas grotto is currently being built in London and will be erected in Churchill Square ready for opening on November 24.

The Argus has also secured a huge Christmas tree from Garden Pride in Common Lane, Ditchling, which will be put up in Victoria Gardens on December 1.

The same day, a contemporary tree of light - a Brighton and Hove Arts Commission project - will be illuminated in Jubilee Square.

That night there will be an Argus Christmas evening in New Road, Brighton, which will be closed off to traffic and filled with Christmas-themed stalls and carol singers.

An Argus Appeal Christmas bus will drive around the city during December, taking carol singers and Father Christmas to as many streets as possible and raising money for needy people throughout Sussex.

We are also collecting pledges from traders with ideas of how they can support the campaign, which will be pinned to a cardboard Christmas tree displayed in our Dyke Road office in central Brighton.

Anyone who wants to get involved in the campaign should call 01273 544725 for further details.

Thursday, October 13, 2005