THE festive cheer will be brighter than ever across Tavistock this year, thanks to a combined effort to provide brand new Christmas lighting.

Tavistock BID (Business Improvement District) and the town council have joined forces to provide Christmas lights for the next three years and more areas of the town are set to be lit up than ever before.

There were many challenges for the town council last year regarding Christmas lights provision, due to a number of factors including a review of the budget, an aging and problematic infrastructure and lighting that with another year's use would no longer be fit for purpose in terms of safety, maintenance implications and quality of display. This year, Tavistock BID has stepped forward to invest in a three-year plan to provide new lights in West Street and the side streets.

BID manager Lisa Piper said: 'Last year the town council came to us to say they couldn't continue to fund the Christmas lights. We got invited at a late stage to help with the lights, but this year we looked at making a combined effort.'

Last year the BID and Chamber of Commerce committed to commission and fund safety testing of the existing infrastructure. The town council delivered the Christmas lights in 2013 in the areas where the lights had been previously displayed, but found the on-going maintenance through the display period very challenging due to the inclement weather, causing the failure of many sections of the lighting, and the compatibility of new LED bulbs with old cabling meant there was significant water damage.

For 2014 the town council has committed to the project management of a reduced scheme in and around community assets, on the guildhall and court gate complex, churchyard and lampposts within this vicinity, pannier market, but still providing a display that serves a significant proportion of the business community in Duke Street and Brook Street.

BID has committed to changing existing lighting schemes and delivering more in the side streets and Plymouth Road, funding and project managing the lighting schemes which will be seen from the bus station down Plymouth Road to the town centre, up Paddons Row, along Pepper Street, up West Street and Russell Street, King Street, as well as other areas and side streets.

There will also be a large Christmas tree in Bank Square Car Park.

'We wanted to ensure the town would be all lit up for the festive period,' said Lisa.

'We were keen to include more areas so the town is covered as a whole. Pepper Street has not had lights for a long time and Plymouth Road hasn't had any lights before.'

Tavistock Town Council general manager Wayne Southall said: 'Following several meetings and challenging discussions it appears that, in the spirit of partnership working, Tavistock will have a much improved and less problematic Christmas lighting display in 2014.'

Town mayor Cllr Harry Smith, who has been involved in the partnership based discussions, said: 'I would be very sad if there wasn't any Christmas lights, but it looks like we are going to have a fantastic display this year by working together. 

'It will be great for the businesses and shoppers of the town and will be great to help bring people in to Tavistock.

'The lights will help to add to the special nights in the town's calendar.'

This year's impressive display will be switched on, as usual, on Dickensian Evening, which falls on Friday, November 28.

To enhance the Christmas feel in the town even more, BID is offering free 4ft Christmas trees to businesses in the town to house in shops, as part of the BID business plan.

Anyone who would like to take up this offer should email [email protected]">[email protected]