Wolverhampton traders: 'We're missing business due to lack of Christmas lights'
Small traders say they are missing out on business because council bosses have cut back on Christmas lights.
Shopkeepers in Wolverhampton city centre say they have been left without any festive lights to entice customers down their streets.
They say Wolverhampton City Council has concentrated only on the big stores in Dudley Street and around the Mander Centre for the display, as budget cuts affect the amount available for lights.
Both Broad Street and the ring road end of Lichfield Street have been left without festive lights for the first time in years.
Sham Sharma, of Sunitek in Broad Street, said: "Look around the big boys' stores and there are Christmas lights.
"But down Broad Street and Lichfield Street there's nothing.
"We're the ones who have had to carry on through tough times but the council is not supporting us."
Other Broad Street traders echoed Mr Sharma's comments. Paul Hannon, of Spikes Tattoo and Piercings, said: "We always get left out of council plans but we pay our rates like everyone else.
"It's a shame, because Broad Street is a gateway into the city centre from the ring road and light brighten up the area."
Kevin Spencer, a barber who works at The Basement on Lichfield Street, said "I'm sure it will affect trade. We're having one of our quietest Christmases so far.
"We pay enough in business rates for the council to make it feel a bit festive. They don't look after small businesses at all."
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city services, said: "People are aware of the huge cuts Government are forcing on places like Wolverhampton and this has regrettably meant we've had to scale back the amount of Christmas decorations we are able to fund around the city centre.
"Inevitably this will cause some disappointment. Government shows no signs of easing the pressure on councils for the foreseeable future and therefore for future years we need to look to contributions from the private sector to add value to what we provide and hopefully together we can create an experience that better meets local business expectations."
