Some of you may have noticed our Winter Lighting going up this weekend. How Festive Lighting Can Help Make Our Streets Safer and More Welcoming
As autumn settles in and the evenings grow darker, the countdown to Christmas begins and with it, an opportunity to make St Ives shine a little brighter. Beyond bringing festive cheer, seasonal lighting or ‘Winter Lighting’ as we call it can play an important role in helping our streets feel safer, livelier, and more inviting during the long winter nights.
Why Lighting Matters
When daylight fades early, people are less likely to spend time outdoors or visit local shops, cafés, and restaurants. Research continues to show that well-lit areas make a huge difference in how safe people feel. For example, national surveys have found that better lighting can significantly increase public confidence, especially for those walking alone after dark.
For BID and our businesses we feel that lighting is more than decoration, it’s a form of care and investment in our community.
Beyond Christmas Sparkle
Winter Lighting isn’t just about festive fun. It’s about creating warmth and atmosphere, transforming streets and public spaces into places people want to visit, meet, and enjoy. With thoughtful planning, Winter Lighting can support the evening economy, attract visitors, and help St Ives feel vibrant even on the coldest nights.
Strategically placed lighting can:
- Draw people towards key destinations like markets, waterfronts, and shopping streets
- Encourage evening trade and boost local spending
- Foster a sense of pride and togetherness among residents and visitors alike
How Lighting Helps Everyone
- Enhance safety: Well-lit streets discourage anti-social behaviour and help people feel more comfortable after dark.
- Show care: Good lighting is an immediate, visible sign that an area is managed, cared for, and welcoming.
- Support the local economy: Lighting up our town centre and high streets can help increase footfall during the busy festive period.
For Local Businesses:
- Attract more customers: Bright, festive displays catch the eye and encourage people to stop and shop.
- Boost visibility online: A well-lit shopfront or high street makes for great social media moment…free publicity for the whole area.
- Collaborate for impact: Working together on coordinated lighting schemes can spread costs and create a unified, eye-catching look across town.
Did You Know?
Studies of UK towns have shown that improved lighting can lead to notable reductions in both property and violent crime. In some areas, well-lit streets saw around a 20% drop in reported incidents, showing that better lighting really does make a measurable difference.
Lighting for St Ives
- Think long-term: Our light curtains will be switched on ready for half-term and can stay up into the new year. Neutral, winter-themed displays help extend the benefits beyond Christmas.
- Be energy smart: Timers and LEDs help reduce running costs and environmental impact.
Building a Brighter Future
Thoughtful lighting doesn’t just transform the look of our streets it transforms how people use them. By investing in festive and winter lighting, we’re not just decorating for the season; we’re creating a sense of safety, pride, and community connection that lasts all year round.
Christmas Lighting
Although the Winter Lighting goes on in October, Christmas Lighting is added at a later date and will be switched on officially on Friday 5th December 2025 as part of the Santa arriving via Lifeboat event. This year we will be adding specially commissioned chandeliers to our Christmas Lighting to light the street and add some magic and sparkle.
