Two local businesses have been praised after their generous donation to provide Ascot High Street with a festive light display.

After the funding for Christmas lights was pulled by the Royal Brough of Windsor and Maidenhead in February 2022, local Ascot residents were outraged at the lack of planning by authorities.

Despite the Royal status of the town, the high street stood dark with little to no sign of the festive decorations being hung.

As a gesture of goodwill this Christmas, the Sixpenny Group and the lighting contractor EML have ensured that lights went up in time for Christmas.

When the news that Ascot would remain in the dark this Christmas reached local entrepreneur Egor Shestakov he decided to make a generous donation alongside EML lighting contractor.

Egor Shestakov, of Sixpenny Group, a property investment and development business, said: “I wanted to help my local community and ensure the lights went up in time for Christmas. I think it is important for the people of Ascot and surrounding areas to see them up.”

Mark Bamford, Company Director of EML, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Windsor and Maidenhead this year, and when I heard that Ascot had a sponsor to put lights up, it was the least EML could do to offer our support both financially and to get our teams to work this weekend to ensure lights installed without further delay. We would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.”

Christmas lights in parishes are now funded either through parish councils and/or business sponsorship.

Last year’s Ascot Christmas lights were funded through local sponsorship.

Councillor Lynne Jones, Cabinet Member for Finance and Deputy Leader of the Royal Borough, said: “Thank you to both Sixpenny Group and EML for their festive generosity, bringing some festive sparkle to Ascot.

“Ascot has been fortunate enough to get sponsorship two years in a row, which is fantastic, however sponsorship is never guaranteed and we would encourage all parish councils which want lights to ensure they set aside sufficient funding in case.”

Helen Goodwin, clerk of Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council, said: “The parish council is very grateful to Sixpenny for coming forward to sponsor the Christmas lights on Ascot High Street this year.

“We are so pleased that festive cheer will be restored to the residents of Ascot in time for Christmas.”