Cardiff Christmas lights switch-on event confirmed after coming under threat

A popular Cardiff Christmas lights event will now go ahead this year after facing the threat of cancellation due to rising costs. Organisers of Christmas light switch on events across the capital will be supported by a sponsor to support the celebrations.

Earlier this month, local Welsh charity Calon Hearts said it faced the possible cancellation of their popular Christmas lights switch-on in Llandaff due to financial strain. They urged that without a sponsor the event could not go ahead due to the council's fees rising since last year. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here

To host an event, organisers are subject to council fees such as securing a Traffic Regulation Order, members of staff and renting of council-owned areas such as car parks among other costs. Cardiff Council was once able to provide the road closures and staff for free but due to council budget cuts, that is no longer the case.

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Whilst Cardiff Council explained that they would like to provide their services without a charge, it is not possible due to increasing costs. Cllr Dan De’Ath, cabinet member for strategic planning, climate change and transport said: "In a perfect world, we would like to provide the assistance and staff for free, but this isn’t possible due to the increasing costs on the council, especially in education and social care."

To help with the funding of Christmas lights switch-on events across Cardiff, the council have found a sponsor to pay the council charge to allow the events to go ahead. Urban Centric, a development company working in Cardiff, has volunteered to sponsor the events taking place in Rhiwbina, Fairwater, Llandaff and Radyr & Llanishen.

Andrew Woods, managing director of Urban Centric said: “When the council reached out for a sponsor, we were happy to help, as Christmas is a time of good will and cheer. We hope that the events are enjoyed by all that live in these areas, and it is our way to say happy Christmas to Cardiff.”

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