Light Up Otley for Christmas

Just as the spring sunshine helps to brighten our days, so do festive lights in the winter, and Otley has a proud tradition of decorating our town centre at Christmas for everyone to enjoy.

However, a recent survey revealed that many Otley residents would like to see our Christmas lights looking even better, so we at Otley BID (Business Improvement District) are supporting a team of residents by appealing to everyone to make a small donation to help us achieve this.

Currently, the lamp post motifs and the marketplace decorations are paid for by Otley Town Council, while the mini Christmas trees and the large tree in the marketplace are funded by Otley BID Ltd, with a further contribution from the businesses who have a tree. While both the council and the BID may be in a position to increase their spending a little, budgets are tight, so we are appealing to the wider community to help if you can, just as Burley in Wharfedale and several other communities fund their festive displays.

Our current combined spend is around £30,000 a year (compared to Knaresborough which we understand spends around £37,000) and we’re confident that spending an additional £10,000 a year would make a big difference to the brightness and vibrancy of the displays. We are aiming to fundraise a total of £15,000 as soon as possible.

If every household in Otley donated £5 now, that would cover it! If some can give more, that would be even better, but whatever amount we raise will be put towards enhancing our Christmas displays for the enjoyment of all.

Keeping Otley looking wonderful all year round creates a happy atmosphere for residents, encourages visitors to our town and in turn helps local businesses to thrive. This is particularly true at Christmas, so even though it may only be spring, please consider donating what you can as soon as you can, to enable us to create a really special festive display on your behalf this Christmas.

Thank you!