The Business Forum appealed to the organisations to help the traders overcome an unforeseen additional cost. In order to erect a spectacular display of lights on the listed Clock Tower in time for Christmas it was necessary to call in an expert and spend an additional £20,000 (spread over 5 years) on manufacturing a special collar that will be attached and removed without trace each year. This means there will be no need to drill holes or fit bolts into the the Grade I listed building and therefore no need to go through a lengthy procedure to obtain planning permission.

Christmas lights supplier Blachere was able to find an expert at short notice to take on the task. Tony Harvey from Flag and Flagpole has not only completed the task without the collar being visible from the street but has completed it well within the timeframe so that it will be ready for the big switch-on event on 16th November.

The Clock Tower will be the focal point of the best Christmas lights display Brighton has seen in living memory. An area of the city centre know as the Business Improvement District (BID) will be lit up this year using funds raised by traders through their business rates.

For details of the BID and other projects it includes click on the icon on the lest hand side of this page.