'Scrooge' businesses slammed for not contributing to Marlow's Christmas (From Bucks Free Press)

'Scrooge' businesses slammed for not contributing to Marlow's Christmas

1:40pm Sunday 15th November 2009 in

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BIG name High Street chains were labelled “scrooges” this week for making no contribution to Marlow's Christmas lights or late night shopping event.

Companies such as WHSmith, Cargo, Clinton Cards, Boots, Superdrug, Monsoon, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer, Natwest, Nationwide and Lloyds have been slammed for not supporting the town's festivities.

Marlow Chamber of Trade said many benefit from the extra trade brought in by late night shopping but do not pay their way.

Thousands of customers come to the town each December for the out of hours shopping event.

Only £963 has been raised for the lights, down from about £2,200 in 2008, while £175 has been given towards late night shopping, which costs about £2,500 per year to run and is paid for by the chamber and stallholders.

Wycombe District Council own and maintain the main Christmas lights in Marlow, and spend £60,000 to erect and take down lights in towns across the whole district.

Voluntary contributions help ease budgetary pressure, the council said.

The chamber tries to raise as much as possible to ensure there are reserves to pay for repairs, but fears new lights may be needed as soon as next year.

Chamber spokesman Jo Braybrooke labelled the big name brands as “scrooges”.

She said: “We were hoping some of the bigger ones would help and we’re quite upset they don’t donate. We never get a penny off them for the lights.

“The ones we really look to are on the High Street like WHSmiths and Cargo which are absolutely packed on late night shopping and don’t give us anything.

"Late night shopping might not happen without lights, we need the lights for Christmas, it would look absolutely dead especially on such a large High Street.”

The chamber said companies based at Globe Park industrial park, Fieldhouse Lane, which include high profile names such as Phones International – owned by Dragons Den star Peter Jones, showed no interest.

However, Jason Kemp, head of marketing at Phones International, said it had not received any correspondence and had not turned down a request.

Ex-mayor Michael Bowater, 81, of Bovingdon Heights, a former chairman of the Marlow Decorations Committee, said: “I’m almost speechless, I know times are hard but to get so little bit is terrible.

"On the late night shopping they’re all crowded and they take advantage but don’t support it financially or pay for the lights which are getting increasingly more expensive each year and wearing out.”

Ron Waters, chairman of the Marlow Society, said: “The big companies benefit as much as anybody in Marlow so why can’t they shell out? It's a spit in the ocean for them."

WH Smith spokesman Sarah Heath said the chain was “committed to playing an active part in the communities it operates in”, often with local initiatives or charity support.

But she added: “We have limited resources so cannot help with everything, but seek to channel our available resources to maximise the positive impact.”

Sainsbury’s spokesman Kirsty Merrills said: “Sainsbury’s is a keen supporter of the local community and has sponsored the Town Regatta for the last two years and will be continuing its support for the annual Santa Fun Run.”

After being contacted by the Free Press Waitrose pledged £200 and Fat Face said it would also contribute.

Marks & Spencer said donations are decided by the store manager, who was unavailable.

Natwest said it had not donated due to the financial climate. Nationwide said it donates millions to a range of causes.

The Marlow Free Press also contacted Cargo, Lloyds, Monsoon, Clinton Cards, Boots and Superdrug. All were unavailable for comment.

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DONATIONS: Donations for late night shopping were given by: ABC Book Keeping, Burgers, Colston Bush, LGP Solicitors, Richardson Jones, Mulady Solutions Ltd, Mr G R Greenhous, Bridge Dental Services, The Compleat Angler Hotel, Andrew Milsom and Partners, Harringtons and Mekong.

The same companies contributed to the £963 raised for the lights along with three primary schools – Frieth Church of England, St Peter’s and Foxes Piece – and Marlow Townswomen's Guild, which has put in £68 – £1 for each member.

This year’s late night shopping takes place on December 3.

There will be a nativity procession with live animals along the High Street, which has been organised by the Marlow Methodist Church.