Businesses banish bah-humbug blues in Chichester

Staff at David Messam in East Street haven’t held back on their decorations while businesses in Crane Street have got their heads together to bring some Christmas cheer come December.

The Chichester Canal Trust will also soon be launching its range of decorations and lights ahead of its specially-organised Father Christmas trips down the canal.

The festive efforts come after the city council said it could not afford to put up the lights this year, which cost £15,000. Businesses then tried – and failed – to stump up the cash to make it happen.

Co-owner of David Messam, Lesley Messam, said: “We felt really gutted other retailers had not put any money in. We got our cheque back from the council, it was a nice sum not a small amount. Instead we spent the money on decorations in the shop.

“We thought we would light up our shop so Chichester doesn’t look so boring and not so Christmassy.

“Now when you look at East Street in the dark our shop sticks out a bit. Someone walked into our shop and thought it was a Christmas shop.”

There are two reindeer hanging up outside David Messam, with some icicles. There is also a Christmas tree inside the shop with tinsel and baubles. Another tree will soon be put outside the shop.

Other businesses have made the effort with decorating their shop fronts. Some reindeers can be spotted by Buzby and Blue Hairdressing at the end of East Street, above the Spar newsagent.

Michelle Bird, owner of Marlin Kitchens at Crane Street, said: “Basically we did this because the council wasn’t putting its lights up in Chichester. To be honest the lights were abysmal.

“Crane Street businesses got together so we could do our own thing. There will be 4ft real Christmas trees nailed to the wall, and there will be about 20 of them.

“I think our lights are going to draw people in. We did it ourselves to bring Christmas spirit into Chichester, and families do like lights, don’t they?”

The Chichester Ship Canal Trust is kicking-off its Father Christmas trips on November 27. Visitors will be able to have a trip down the canal and receive personalised presents from Father Christmas.

Wendy Baker from the trust said the lights and festive decorations would be in place for the launch date, which includes a ‘fantastic’ Christmas-themed tableaux in the pontoon.

Bookings have already started, for more information call 0845 65 30 210 between 9am and 7pm.