Bangor is set to shine this Christmas as Ards and North Down Borough Council unveils a £29,000 festive lighting scheme aimed at brightening up the city centre.
The upgrade will feature a custom-made “Merry Christmas from Bangor” sign suspended over Lower Main Street at Central Avenue, along with four decorative garlands strung across key streets leading toward the iconic McKee Clock.
In total, 85 new festive lighting frames will be installed across Abbey Street, High Street, Market Street and Hamilton Road, creating a more vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors during the holiday season.
To fund the project, the council has secured £19,000 from the Department for Communities’ Urban Regeneration Programme, with an additional 10% contribution from council funds, bringing the total to £22,000. However, with the lighting frames estimated to cost £22,000 and the five cross-street garlands an additional £7,000, a funding shortfall of around £7,000 remains.
A council report suggests the shortfall could be met through the Christmas lighting maintenance budget or surplus funds from other Urban Regeneration projects.
The existing Christmas lights, which are nearing the end of their usable lifespan, cost around £5,000 to repair last year. The council hopes the new lighting will provide a more reliable and visually striking display.
Approval from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is still required for the cross-street installations, and structural assessments are currently underway to ensure safety.
At a recent full council meeting, DUP councillor Carl McClean, who proposed the motion earlier this year, expressed his gratitude for the support and praised the scheme’s “high quality.” He added that he hoped similar lighting would be rolled out to the other towns in the borough.
Former mayor Alistair Cathcart welcomed the investment, saying Bangor’s previous lights had become “a bit tired” and the new scheme would be a much-needed “boost” to the city’s festive feel. He also noted the DfI’s positive response to the proposals.
Alliance councillor Patricia Morgan also welcomed the news but highlighted the need to upgrade festive lighting in other borough towns.
David Lindsay, the council’s director of environment, confirmed the new lights were technically viable and that plans were already being made to include similar schemes in future budgets, with a goal to have them in place by Christmas 2026.