Decision details

Approval to appoint under Contract Standing Order 8.02 for a supplier to deliver 60 indoor festive lights kits to be placed in selected retail and hospitality businesses in town centres, in partnership with the relevant Traders Associations across November and December 2021 funded by the Welcome Back Fund grant

The lights will be delivered by Xcentric Events Ltd, to be placed in the following town centres:
• Green Lanes
• Turnpike Lane
• Tottenham

These will be 60 warm white or multi coloured fairy lights shop kits for traders to install in their windows. Each kit comprises:
• 2 x 10m dual colour connectable string lights each with 100 LED bulbs
• 1 x 31v transformer with a 2m long power lead

Price per kit is £41.50 which is £2,490 for 60.

Due to the contract value, one quote is sufficient in awarding of this contract, and is classed as a direct award via the ERDF procurement rules.

There is a high demand from traders and members for on-street festive events in various town centres across the borough, and for Traders Associations to be supported.

The lights will help transform the high street, tie 60 businesses into the council and traders associations’ Christmas activities and help to attract footfall back to the high street post-pandemic, in support of local traders who recently suffered loss of trade. This is a key element that will add value to the events that are taking place across these town centres. This initiative would also form part of the Council’s High Street Recovery Action Plan to support high street businesses and improve their reach and economic vitality.

Xcentric Events Ltd have a proven track record of delivering Christmas dressings and events, including adhering to Health and Safety and COVID-safe practices.

1) Do Nothing – would not help grow the town centre environment during recent challenging trading conditions, or support the area to ‘bounce back’, encourage residents back to the high street at the most important trading time of the year, nor underpin the Council’s Live.Shop.Local campaign.

2) Get a further three quotes on the open market and assess responses. This option was discounted because the contract value is significantly below £10k and the existing supplier has a proven track record, and therefore is best placed to deliver the element.