Southport’s Christmas tree has now been taken down and packed away for another year, after an event-packed festive season in our town.
Southport BID once again provided the dazzling 18-metre high tree, which sparkled with mesmerising colour-changing displays thanks to 25,000 LED pixels.
The tree was provided and installed by Southport family-run firm IllumiDex UK Ltd.
Workers from IllumiDex have since been busy removing and storing scores of festive decorations which have been situated throughout Southport town centre to encourage Christmas shoppers during the dark winter nights through November and December.
Earlier this year, Southport BID and IllumiDex UK Ltd created a stunning ‘boulevard of light’ along both sides of Lord Street, with 300,000 lights giving a huge boost to the town’s night-time economy.
During the festive season in the town, Southport BID also provided a wide range of interactive events and attractions including: a Gingerbread Trail, a Digital Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Grotto, a Frozen Grotto, a Christmas sleigh, a Gingerbread family photo opportunity and more.
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “We spend a large proportion of our valued levy payers’ contributions to attract people into Southport thereby increasing footfall, the amount of time they spend in the town and ultimately the amount of money they spend in our shops, services and hospitality venues.
“That’s why for the first time this year we put together a programme of events and attractions during December and into January to attract people of all ages into the town centre.
“I know many of you will have visited our sold out Santa and Frozen Grottos, immersed yourself in a digital wonderland, tracked down the gingerbread family, ridden the Christmas sleigh and marvelled at our 18 metre high tree and trail of lights.
“It’s been great to have positive feedback from businesses across the town, visitors and residents alike about a ‘buzz’ in the town.”
It has been a very busy few weeks for workers from IllumiDex UK Ltd who have been installing the Christmas tree and festive decorations, as well as repairing damage caused by Storm Arwen.
IIllumiDex UK Ltd Director Steve Clayton said: “A lot of people were sad to see us taking down Southport’s Christmas tree! They were asking us to leave it up!
“The Christmas tree and the festive decorations throughout Southport town centre have been up now since 15th November, a good seven weeks.
“Now we can take them back to base, and carry out maintenance work.”
Southport’s Christmas tree was taken down by a small army of workers on Wednesday night (5th January).
Steve Clayton said: “The crane arrived at 6pm. We took the trees off from the roof at the Atkinson and then removed all the sections of the big tree in the Town Hall Gardens. We were gone by 11pm. It was like a military operation.
“Over the next few days we will continue removing Christmas decorations around Southport. We have over 400 separate items to take down.
“Southport has looked amazing this Christmas, more so than ever before.
“This is the first year that the brand new Lord Street lights have been up at the same time as the illuminated Christmas tree and all the festive decorations around town. This time last year, we were busy removing all the old lights so we could install the new ones.
“The Christmas tree and the new lights have brought thousands of people into town this winter. Our security guard on site has told us there have been people queueing up around the tree to get a close up look at it, or to go and have a look inside.
“People have proposed inside the tree this year! Some families with children have used it as a sensory experience for them.
“The tree has attracted a lot of people to come into the centre of Southport, who have then gone on to visit nearby businesses and enjoy a coffee, a meal, or to do some shopping.
“It has been a real focal point for Southport town centre. Not many towns have had something that spectacular slap bang in the centre of town.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who have come down to see Southport’s Christmas tree and the lights this year, to people who have supported us, and who have said some really lovely comments.
“Thank you to Southport BID, who we have worked with really closely. They were really impressed with the work we put in to make repairs after all the damage caused by Storm Arwen.
“Thank you also to Ainscough, which provided the crane, they send the same team every year; to SWAT Access, which has provided all our access equipment; to Sefton Council’s tourism, highways and lighting teams; it has been a real team effort.
“We would also like to thank Matrix Security; and Massams, which provided the 25ft trees in Ainsdale and Formby; and Stand Up For Southport and other media for their endless support and media coverage.
“Anyone wants any work carried out for their home or business is welcome to get in touch with us for more details.
“We are hatching plans for Christmas in Southport next year already!”
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