BORDONÕS Forest Shopping Centre could be decked out with bells and holly this December after councillors agreed a grant to help with this yearÕs Christmas decorations.
Whitehill Town CouncilÕs finance and policy committee agreed in principle to splash out £250 in response to an application from the Forest Centre Business Association.
Association member Tony Keats said: ÒThis is great news - weÕve got to raise something like four or five thousand pounds, but this is very helpful and IÕm very happy at the moment.Ó
According to the association, this yearÕs proposed Christmas decorations will be the largest display of its kind to come to the shopping centre, outshining many of its rivals.
Among the highlights will be the addition of 40 to 50 lighted Christmas trees and garlands running across the dome.
The display will coincide with the completion of the lengthy refurbishment which included installation of CCTV and remedial work.
Councillor Don Mayes said: ÒWe believe it would be advantageous for the centre to be particularly well-lit at Christmas-time as thereÕs nothing worse than a dull shopping centre piping carols through its speakers. Atmosphere is very important and we need every advantage to draw shoppers to the Forest Shopping Centre.Ó