A reader comments on the above press report:

How are we going to attract the shoppers to Neath & Port Talbot when the Christmas lights are not fully on?   What a "Welcome to town" this will be for locals and relatives visiting  the borough over the Christmas & New year period.
Everyone looks forward to the lights, young and old, it cheers us all up in these dark winter evenings. 
We have had enough doom and gloom this year, we all need cheering up.
How about the Govt.. sending us the funds to keep the home lights burning? They seem to have an open cheque book where other countries are concerned - charity begins at home!

Keep the home lights burning,
While our hearts are yearning,
Though our lads are far away they dream of home.
There's a silver lining, through the dark clouds shining,
Turn the Xmas lights back on, 'til our boys come home.

name & address supplied

Editorial Note.   Last year a reader suggested putting on the Christmas lights early during the dark days leading up to Christmas.   The idea was to brighten up the town and to bring in shoppers.   The EP report is in sharp contrast - rather a dim outlook, we think.    Should business people in Neath have a say in this?   It will almost certainly affect their takings.   Remember business people pay their taxes - they may begin to wonder what benefits they are getting from the council!