A female business owner from St Albans has successfully spearheaded a campaign to get Christmas lights reinstalled on the street where she works after a six year absence. Jane Hartley, owner of Maison Hartley on George Street, had the backing of every business apart from three on the historic street to get the lights back. The festive lighting stopped being put up when St Albans School started transporting pupils by double-decker buses down the road. The lights were no longer able to be strung across it, because of safety fears. Jane told My St Albans News that it has been a long road to get the lights back on and she is delighted all her hard work has been rewarded. She said: “I am really pleased and slightly exhausted. I thought it was ridiculous that we couldn’t have lights on the street. “I remember when I was a youngster and seeing the lights down George Street and how wonderful they looked. “They make the road look much more inviting and it is fantastic to have finally seen all the efforts rewarded.” The plan was put firmly into action this summer when a well-attended meeting in July kick-started efforts to see the return of the Christmas lights, Christopher Place’s manager Catherine Morris helped with details of lighting contacts, who conducted a survey of the street to see if installation of the decorations was feasible. Jane added: “They had a meeting with the council, and they were told that as it is not deemed a trunk road so we don’t need to seek planning permission for temporary Christmas lighting. “Of the 28 businesses, almost all have paid a contribution towards the festoon lights, which will zigzag across George Street to avoid listed buildings. “The lighting will benefit everyone and this will certainly help attract visitors to the town and to George Street. I am chuffed to bits.” The lights will be turned on early next month on November 6. Picture courtesy of The Christmas Decorators
George Street lights the way for Christmas
Published on: 20th October 2017 | By: The Newsdesk | Category:
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