Edgware Road’s Christmas Lights were switched on with the help of pupils from The Minerva Academy on the evening of 16 November.

Councillor Heather Acton and the BID’s Chairman Martin Ramskill were joined by 12 School Council pupils, to press the button to start the illumination of Edgware Road.

London’s Transport Choir sang carols while local PAUL patisserie provided winter warmers of hot chocolate and pastries.

The switch on was held at Connaught Place, where two trees were lit, along with 46 festive decorations on lamp columns from Marble Arch to the Marylebone Flyover.

Businesses from nearby offices joined us and passers by stopped to watch the lighting ceremony, the first of its kind on Edgware Road.

A reception at nearby Victory Services Club saw pupils receive certificates and gift vouchers as a thank you for being the first people to switch on Edgware Road’s Christmas Lights.

Martin Ramskill commented “A short stroll from Marble Arch, Edgware Road is one of the West End’s liveliest high streets, and businesses feel it deserves the same status as other West End destinations at Christmas. It’s been a great opportunity to extend the bright lights of Winter Wonderland up to Marble Arch and Edgware Road.”