NCP will give its takings from June 19 to 24 to the town’s Christmas lights appeal

Car park operator NCP has offered to help give Axminster some festive sparkle.

The company is pledging to donate all the takings from its new Lyme Street park between June 19 and 24 to the fund for the town’s Christmas lights display that are the focus of ‘The Cherry Fayre 2017’ celebration that week.

Light Up Axminster, the new committee tasked with co-ordinating the town’s festive illuminations, wants to raise as much money as possible during its first year.

As well as financing the installation and insurance of the lighting display, the cash will also be used to make sure the existing infrastructure of the town’s buildings is sound and capable of taking even greater displays in the future.

The committee says it has been overwhelmed by the support from local businesses and their help in raising the sums needed to put on a whole new range of community events throughout the summer.

One of the main features will be the resurrection of the town’s Cherry Fayre, the origins of which go back 800 years.

The Fayre will take place between June 17 and 24 and promises a jam-packed cavalcade of activities and events including, The Raising of the Glove Ceremony (June 22), Axminster’s Big Dinner (June 23) and the Community Picnic (June 24), all centred around the Minster Green.

NCP Business Manager, Carly Edwards, said: “We opened our Lyme Street car park in Axminster last November and have been made to feel very welcome by the town. We wanted to say thank you to the local community and what better way than by helping to make sure everyone can enjoy an eye-catching lighting display this Christmas?

“Our Lyme Street car park is ideally placed right in the heart of the town for the Cherry Fayre activities and events. In an average week around 700 cars use it, but we expect this number to rise in Cherry Fayre week due to all the activities planned, so we’re optimistic of being able to make a fairly sizeable donation to the Christmas lights fund.”

Cindy Furse, chairman of Light Up Axminster, said she was bowled over by NCP’s generous offer.

“It’s fantastic that NCP – a relative newcomer to the town – is prepared to make such as generous gesture,” she said.