London’s festive lights, a tradition since 1954, are integral to the capital’s economic and social vitality, says Karen Baines

When London switched on its first festive lights along Regent Street in 1954, few could have imagined how profoundly they would come to define the season. That gesture lit the way for a much-loved tradition that frames the city’s festive calendar. Now, 70 years on, London’s Christmas lights are more than aesthetic: they are integral to the capital’s economic and social vitality.

Festive decorations in the West End help drive the seasonal uplift that many retailers count on, drawing out shoppers and encouraging them to stay longer and explore. People who come to see the lights often combine their visit with a full day of shopping, meals out, theatre trips or festive activities, contributing directly to the vitality of the West End. This blend of experience and spend sits behind the New West End Company’s (NWEC) forecast of 1.3 per cent year-on-year growth in festive........

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