The world-famous Blackpool Illuminations will cost almost £2million to run this year amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The cost of running the lights along the seaside resort will set back Blackpool Council a whopping £1.758m for their four-month run, LancsLive reports. However, the attraction will generate more than £300million of spend in the local area, the council has said.
The illuminations were switched on last Friday following a star-studded live concert and the council has introduced a number of ways to combat any increased energy costs, however they concede they 'can't beat the market' and predict '[energy] costs will go up over the next year'. They have confirmed that a rise in costs will be 'be contained within the existing Illuminations budget with spending on materials being reduced', while the illuminations are run with the help of sponsors and investors, injecting much needed cash into the town's annual multi-coloured light show.
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Illuminations organisers have reduced energy consumption by 75% since 1999, mainly due to the switch to LED displays and 100 per cent renewable energy. This is coupled with several millions of visitors heading to the Fylde coast resort and bringing with them a vital boost to the hospitality and tourism industry and local economy, which is expected to top £300m between September and the end of December.
"The illuminations receive various income contributions, including sponsorship and investment through Town Deal funding," a council spokesperson said. "Visitor insight data for 2021 shows that the extended Illuminations season attracted around 10 million visitors on to the promenade between September and the end of December, generating more than £300m of spend and providing a huge boost to the local economy.
"The work that has been undertaken over a number of years has meant that we are in the strongest position possible but we can’t beat the market and are predicting our cost will go up over the next year."
The illuminations were switched on by designer Laurence Llwelyn-Bowen following live performances from Blue, Tom Grennan, Mae Muller and Fuse ODG. Laurence, who rose to fame on interior design TV show Changing Rooms, played a key part in transforming the Golden Mile 2022 by creating a stretch of Art Deco-style features that will celebrate a golden age of 1930s glamour.
The lights will glow for 123 days after being extended again for two months, from September 2 to January 2, 2023.
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