FESTIVE cheer will be all around Tranent this year after two big-hearted local businesses stepped forward to ensure the town’s Christmas lights display could go ahead.


Ronnie Brown, owner of R M Brown Demolitions, and Callum Innes, owner of Callum Innes Electrical, have offered to erect the lights and save this year’s display.


The Courier reported last week that MPACT, which previously funded the installation, had withdrawn support, leaving the future of the display in jeopardy.


Matthew Wright, co-owner of the property group, said that he had ceased funding due to “abuse” he received for a controversial football club signing at Tranent FC, where he was involved.

READ MORE: Tranent Xmas lights funding axed after football club signing 'abuse'

Hiring the lights from East Lothian Council costs about £4,000 annually, with the 2024 and 2025 instalments already paid for by Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council (TECC).

Additional costs come from installing the lights, which are switched on every year during a ceremony on Tranent’s Winton Place.

TECC is unable to cover the costs of the installation, so the group had been left to explore other avenues of funding and the prospect of a reduced display.

But thanks to the support from the two Tranent-based businesses, the full display will now be able to go ahead as normal.

Tranent Christmas Lights

Mr Brown said: “I’ve done a lot of work in the community over the years with the football team and rugby team and some other projects.

“I noticed that someone else had withdrawn from funding, so I decided to help out and pick up the costs.

“Callum will be using all of his expertise as an electrician to put up the lights, and I’ll be covering any of the costs that come with it.

“We’ll continue to support this in future and help out the community for as long as possible."

Mr Innes explained that he decided to help out so that the town's children could enjoy the spectacle while walking through Tranent.

He said: "It's such an uplifting thing for everyone when all the lights are on and the town is all lit up.

"Ronnie organised the whole thing and then asked if I could help out, since I'm an electrician, and I agreed straight away.

"It will be so exciting for the kids to see."

Mike Falconer, TECC chairperson, was “absolutely delighted” at the positive outcome.

He said: “We’re so grateful to Ronnie Brown and Callum Innes for their support. They’ve both helped with a number of things in the community in the past.

“If push came to shove, we would have been able to pay the company who provides the lights to put them up this year, but we wouldn’t be able to do the same thing again next year, and it would have put us in a bit of a tricky situation.

“This generous offer means that the community council can put their money towards other causes in the area.

“It’s such a celebration every year. We look forward to seeing the Christmas street lights in place for the festive season in Tranent and Elphinstone once again.”

This year's Christmas lights display will be switched on during a special ceremony on November 23.