Camden News: Primrose Hill | Christmas Lights | Cancelled

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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 27 November 2008

Fine Rees, Gillian Anderson-Price and Elizabeth Blank

Lights out: Traders warn of ‘gloomy’ atmosphere as cost of decorating street proves too much

AN annual festive date in the diary for a Primrose Hill street has been cancelled after shopkeepers were unable to raise enough money for Christmas lights.
Every December for the past nine years businesses in Regent’s Park Road have put £150 each into a hat to pay for the lights and a party to switch them on.
But according to the organisers who took over from another trader for the first time this year, the response to their request for money – emailed to every business in the area – was either a “no or non-existent”.
Elizabeth Blank, of Fitzroy’s antiques shop, warned that without a festive feel the area was less likely to bring in punters over Christmas.
Although she accepted belts are tighter due to the poor economic conditions, she said it was “complacent” not to put on the show.
Fine Rees of Miss Lala’s Boudoir said the street felt “very gloomy and bare” without the lights and hoped there would be a change of heart next year, while Gillian Anderson-Price, owner of Judith Michael and Daughter, tried to lighten the mood with news of a last-minute shopping extravaganza.
On December 2 around 25 shops will be offering discounts and giving away mulled wine, champagne and mince pies as a thank you to their customers, while between 4pm and 8pm a roaming church choir will be serenading shoppers.

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