York BID add spectacular feature tree to winter light display.

The winter lights display in York has got a new feature this week courtesy of the York BID.

The winter lights scheme, which are coordinated by the BID in partnership with Make It York, already consist of 15km of lights which brighten the city throughout the festive period.

The new addition is a BID initiative, consisting of an additional 1km of LED lights, wrapping a single tree at the Eye of York. The installation uses the Twinkly ™ system which is at the forefront of Christmas light technology. Twinkly’s new generation of LED string lights are controllable via a smartphone and can display a huge number of effects which are completely customisable.

Used en-masse on a tree, it is the first installation of this type in the UK. With a total of 1,000 LED’s wrapping the old oak, the effect will create a real wow factor. The BID will regularly change the effects on the tree to create an ever-changing display.

The lights will also be used to mark important dates, for example the tree will be lit in purple on the 27^th January; the national Holocaust Memorial Day.

The feature tree is the final part of a series of initiatives by the BID to create experiences for families and loved ones to share in the city during the festive period. They have already launched a ‘York Santa Search’ interactive app, a York Gift Card Advent Calendar & Lottery and the ‘Fantastic Fiction’ window displays on Davygate.

The BID are asking the local community to ‘Make a World of Difference – Support Local this Christmas’ and to visit city centre businesses while enjoying the attractions.

Andrew Lowson, Exec Director of the York BID says, “Our hospitality businesses in particular really need support at this time. We’ve had fantastic feedback so far from our Christmas initiatives, so we hope local people continue to come into the city to enjoy them and stay for a while in one of our fantastic hospitality venues.”