Pub to live steam Xmas lights switch-on

Londoners will get some much-needed cheer when the Christmas lights at The Churchill Arms on Kensington Church Street are switched on at 5pm tomorrow (Wednesday 2 December).

Known for its Christmas aesthetic, the switching on of the display will be streamed on Facebook Live by the Fuller’s pub.

“I think 2020 has been a year that has really needed a Churchillian effort from all of us, but I’m delighted that it hasn’t stopped the Christmas lights and festive decorations that we are famous for,” says general manager James Keogh.

“The display this year is in honour of the amazing people of the NHS who have worked so hard during the coronavirus pandemic and that is reflected in the display inside the pub too. In addition, we will be raising money for the NHS across the Christmas period – so I hope that anyone who comes along to have a look will make a donation. It’s been an incredibly hard year for us all – but none more than those who look after the most affected by this horrible virus.

“Despite having less than a third of the usual number of trees, reflecting the financial impact of 2020, the display is as impressive as ever. Ray Diaz and the team from City Plant Displays Limited did our first Christmas display 32 years ago, with just 12 Christmas trees. Last year, we had a record number of 100. This year, to compensate for the lower number of trees, Ray suggested a new set of lights – featuring 68,000 individual bulbs, which looks absolutely stunning.”