Community campaigners are celebrating after announcing they will be lighting up Irvine at Christmas.
Owing to budget cuts earlier this year, North Ayrshire Council announced as part of the budget cuts a decision was taken to remove the budget for festive lights.
As has been previously reported, volunteer groups across North Ayrshire have been required to cover the costs of Christmas Lights installations within their towns.
Irvine is no exception, and with the ever-increasing cost of living crisis, it did appear that there might not be any festive lights in the town at all this year.
Irvine Community Council, as well as taking on ownership of the existing Christmas lights, have sourced funding from a local business to cover the costs of the display.
Ayrshire-wide Construction firm Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd have made a generous donation to Irvine Community Council’s Christmas lights fund to cover the costs of this year’s display.
An Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd spokesperson said: “We are delighted to support Irvine Community Council with the town’s Christmas light display this year.
“As a local employer with many of our staff and operatives based in the area, we all look forward to the lights being switched on and the town lit up for the festive period.
“We have been active in and around Irvine for many years and, with works soon to commence on the new affordable housing site on the grounds of the former Ayrshire Central Hospital, this was a great opportunity for us to give something back to the community.”
Irvine Community Council chair, Chris Pless, thanked the company and said: “We’re delighted to welcome the donation from Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd as it had looked very much like there would not be any display at all this year.
“Whilst this year’s display will be modest, we hope that we can look to the future and are actively exploring options for 2025 and beyond.”
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