A CHIPPENHAM business owner failed to get in the Christmas spirit during the light switch-on event last week, as he held a protest inside his shop against the BID.

Edward Kirk, owner of Scholars on Market Place, displayed t-shirts on mannequins protesting against the BID who had organised the light switch-on event for the second year.

The event was criticised last year due to a lack of atmosphere and activities, but many people praised this year’s switch-on which was performed by Torvill and Dean.

“It was definitely better than last year, in Chippenham you’re limited with space and I prefer the Devizes one because it’s more traditional with Santa on his sleigh,” said Mr Kirk.

“But this year it was much better, but did it have to cost twice as much as when the town council did it?

“I won’t criticise it though I thought it was much better.”

Approximately £40,000 is believed to have been spent on the event, with half of that coming from Chippenham Town Council.

The Chippenham Business Improvement District (BID) was voted in by businesses in the town in November 2014, with the aim of promoting them.

Mr Kirk claimed he protested as he has not been able to see the finances of the BID and also over the business rate for levy payers in the town.

“All I want is to be able to compare the BID budget against what they have spent but I have to sign a non-disclosure agreement and I have been advised against signing it,” he said.

“Hopefully we are going to have a meeting this week so I can seem them.”