Traders delighted with new festive lights and free trees

BUSINESS owners say they are happy with the small Christmas trees in Henley this year.

A total of 145 small trees were installed on brackets above shop fronts around the town at the end of last week.

The town council used to share the cost of the scheme with shops and businesses but last year some of them boycotted it because of a £10 increase in the cost of a tree to £60.

This year, the council decided it would fund the entire cost of the trees in the four main streets in a bid to improve Henley’s Christmas decorations.

New sponsors have meant that the budget has increased, enabling the council to install new brackets, cover the cost of the trees and upgrade the festoon lighting across the four main streets.

Trees in Duke Street, Bell Street, Hart Street and Market Place have been paid for but organisations and individuals outside these areas have had to buy their own trees from the supplier, Windowflowers. 

New string lights have been hung in while illuminated stars have been put up in the trees in front of the town hall. Independent business owners say they are grateful. Laurence Morris, owner of Laurence Menswear in Duke Street, said: “It looks like a vast improvement on last year. I think it’s great that the council is paying for it. In a way, it’s them repaying the retailers.”

Chloe James, manager of Temptations gift shop in Bell Street, said she liked the trees.

She said: “It is good to see all the different shops decorated. It produces lots of festive cheer throughout the town.”

Claire Wakefield, owner of the Old Bell pub in Bell Street, said: “It is beautiful. Everyone I speak to has spoken about how lovely they look.

“There have been complaints in the past and remarks about the disappointing light displays so you can now feel and hear the difference.

“Henley is one of these beautiful little towns filled with independent businesses and having the council put up the decorations and trees is fantastic.”

Anna Burton, manager of the Cecilia Quinn shoe boutique in Bell Street, said: “This is a great opportunity to show Henley at its best because when some businesses opt out you don’t get that uniform festive feeling. I cannot wait until it is all illuminated.”

Mark Jones, who works at lifestyle shop Calvert Jones in Hart Street, said: “It is great the town council is taking an interest in helping retailers make our lights better.”

Jo Lawrenson, who works at eco shop FourState in Duke Street, said: “If you have more Christmas trees and more decorations, it makes the town look more festive and draws more people in, which obviously is good for business. At a time when retailers are struggling, it is a nice gesture by the council.”

Mayor Kellie Hinton said: “I think it’s really important to have civic pride, especially when it comes to Christmas. It’s about spirit, joy, love and community.

“It is absolutely right that the town council makes this small gesture to show we want the businesses to do well and people to visit our shops and restaurants. We try to make it as attractive as possible.

“The new lights are interchangeable and part of a wider Christmas lighting plan to make Henley more cheerful and festive. We can use them when appropriate, they aren’t just for Christmas. That’s why we chose them.”

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