The council will spend £50,000 on new Christmas lights despite having to make millions in cutbacks – and are asking for additional help from local businesses.

The festive decoration plans were unveiled yesterday (September 19), including four Christmas trees installed in Enfield Town, Palmers Green, Southgate Circus and Cockfosters Green.

Lights will also be hung on buildings in Edmonton Green, and Ponders End will see lights added to park trees.

Enfield Council say they have set aside £50,000 to replace its current lights and “turn town centres into winter wonderlands to attract shoppers.”

This is despite the council facing having to make £56million of cuts by 2020, which has included reductions in youth and disability services.

Council cabinet member for economic regeneration and business, Cllr Alan Sitkin, said: “We want to do everything we can to support our town centre businesses during the crucial Christmas period and we will be installing fantastic displays in town centres to brighten them up over the busiest time of the year and get more shoppers into Enfield.”

He admitted the council’s current set of lights have mostly “reached the end of their useable life”, and they cannot afford to completely replace them all, which he said would cost £200,000.

Instead, the council are asking local businesses to donate money or any extra decorations they have to help boost the festive spirit come December.

Cllr Sitkin said: “We simply do not have that money, so we are asking retailers and local businesses who think their areas would benefit from more extensive displays to contribute towards their cost.”

The council says it will cover the costs of fitting, testing, storing and powering the lights funded by retailers, and would keep using them in future years.

Any businesses who wish to help the council out should either call 020 8379 5233, or email michael.farquharson@enfield.gov.uk by October 7.