Cost of living crisis: famed Blackpool family home festive lights show in Condor Grove cut short due to soaring energy bills

A dazzling light display that has lit up a Blackpool street for almost a decade will return in November, but will operate on reduced-hours because of soaring energy costs.
By Lucinda Herbert
Published 5th Sep 2022, 15:45 BST
Updated 6th Sep 2022, 21:40 BST

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The family home on Condor Grove has been decorated every Christmas since 2013 to raise money for sick children.

Ashley Forward, 28, said it usually costs around £500 to fund the lights over the festive period between Nov 14 and Jan 03. This comes out of his own pocket, with all donations from the public going to Brian House children’s hospice.

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While he normally lights up the house every evening from 4pm until 10pm, he will now be switching off at 8pm each night.

Ashley Forward with parents David and Dawn Forward outside their home on Condor Grove in Blackpool on 15-11-21Ashley Forward with parents David and Dawn Forward outside their home on Condor Grove in Blackpool on 15-11-21
Ashley Forward with parents David and Dawn Forward outside their home on Condor Grove in Blackpool on 15-11-21

Ashley said: “I don’t want to give it up, so by cutting back two hours each day it means we should be able to manage.”

The lights will run for 51 days over the festive period – and will be lit up for around 204 hours in total.

That’s a third less than previous years.

But due to the soaring cost of electric it means they face higher bills – even with the shorter running times.

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Ashley Forward at his festive home on Condor Grove in Blackpool on 15-11-21Ashley Forward at his festive home on Condor Grove in Blackpool on 15-11-21
Ashley Forward at his festive home on Condor Grove in Blackpool on 15-11-21

"We expect it may be around £200 more, but I’m not sure. I pay the bills monthly so the cost is spread through the year.”

Ofgem confirmed that the energy price cap will increase by 80 per cent – from £1,971 to £3,549 – from October 1.

This means that a typical customer who pays by direct debit will be charged 52p per kWh for electricity, with a standing charge of 46p per day.

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This is why one road in Blackpool is absolutely shining with Christmas spirit!
The house on 73 Condor Grove lit up at Christmas. The Forward family are looking for a business sponsor to help them meet the rise in electricity costs in 2022.The house on 73 Condor Grove lit up at Christmas. The Forward family are looking for a business sponsor to help them meet the rise in electricity costs in 2022.
The house on 73 Condor Grove lit up at Christmas. The Forward family are looking for a business sponsor to help them meet the rise in electricity costs in 2022.

Last year’s event raised £879.82 for Brian House Children’s Hospice, and attracted visitors from Scotland and Manchester.

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Hi brother-in-law, Dean Thomas, also decorates his house across the road. He is running a smaller display this year.

A switch-on celebration will take place from 6pm until 9pm on Nov 14, 2022. There will be free tea and coffee, and donation boxes on the walls.

The lights will be switched on seven days a week, until Jan 03, 2023.

Go to https://73condorgrove.webador.co.uk to find out more about the fundraiser.

Related topics:BlackpoolOfgemManchesterScotland