Aberystwyth Christmas Lighting 2026-28

Section 1 - Scope

What the council is looking for

The Council is seeking to appoint a contractor to undertake the annual inspection, testing, installation, connection and removal of festive lighting and decorations across Aberystwyth. The Council owns a stock of decorations for the purpose.

The contractor must be a suitably qualified and competent electrician, and have demonstrable experience of carrying out similar works, in particular of carrying out electrical work at height and over the public highway.

The contract will be for a duration of three years, with an option to extend for an additional two years at the Council’s discretion.

Description of works

1. Preparation of decorations

In September each year, the contractor shall attend the Council’s storage location to undertake preparation of the decorations. This shall include:

a. Inspection of all decorations, to ensure that all are in good working order;

b. Inspection of all electrical components, including wiring, barrel connectors, wire connectors etc.;

c. Electrical testing and certification of all components (PAT BS 7671);

d. Remedial repairs as necessary (e.g. replacement bulbs etc.);

e. Cleaning as necessary.

The contractor shall satisfy themselves of the safety and good working condition of all the decorations and associated parts.

Any faults or shortcomings shall be reported to the Council, together with a reasonable estimate of work needed to rectify the position, in adequate time to meet the switch-on date. The Council shall be free to seek other estimates. The costs of minor remedial works shall be borne by the contractor.

2. Installation

To be completed in the month of November, commencing after Remembrance Sunday and to be completed in ample time for the switch-on date. The switch-on date is usually the last weekend in November / first weekend in December.

The installation shall include:

a. Inspection, testing and certification of all anchorage points prior to any installation;

b. Inspection, testing and certification of all electrical installations/circuits;

c. Installation of icicle drape street crossing lights;

d. Dressing of real and steel Christmas trees;

e. Installation of appropriate digital time clocks, programmed for all decorations to be operational between the hours of 15:00 and 01:00 each day.

3. Availability and emergency

The contractor shall undertake regular (weekly) visual inspections of the decorations and undertake minor remedial works where necessary; any substantial works needed shall be reported to the Council, together with a reasonable estimate of work needed to rectify the position. The Council shall be free to seek other estimates. The costs of minor remedial works (e.g. fuses, resetting RCCBs etc.) shall be borne by the contractor.

The contractor shall provide 24 hour availability throughout the whole duration of the decorations’ installation, with attendance to any reported emergency within 2 hours. The contractor’s details may be shared with the local highway authority(ies) for this purpose.

4. Removal

All decorations shall be switched off by the Twelfth Night (i.e. 5 January), and shall be removed in their entirety by no later than 31 January.

Decorations are to be removed and stored neatly and labelled in storage containers provided. Once dismantled, all decorations are to be returned to the Councils storage location.

Technical Requirements

1. General

a) All works must be carried out in accordance with the standards set out in the Code of Practice for the Installation, Operation and Removal of Seasonal Decorations (County Surveyors Society / Institution of Lighting Professionals). Knowledge and experience of the Code is essential.

b) Membership of the HEA (Highway Electrical Association) and HERS (Highway Electrical Registration Scheme) is desirable.

c) The contractor must be familiar with the anchor point testing process before carrying out any electrical works; this will involve the use of anchor point testing equipment, calibration and will be able to complete and provide anchor point testing certificates prior to installing any cabling.

d) The contractor shall submit, with their tender, suitable risk assessments and method statements for this contract.

e) The contractor shall submit, with their tender, a document outlining the staff roles & chain of command, named duty holder, and staff competencies & qualifications for this contract.

f) The contractor shall provide all tools, equipment, and consumables required for the undertaking of the contract, and shall provide for this within their tender price.

g) The contractor shall ensure that all installations comply with all relevant regulations and standards, and that all work undertaken is compliant with relevant health and safety legislation.

2. Electrical

a) The contractor must be a “Skilled Electrical Person” as defined by the JIB, holding a valid ECS card.

b) The contractor must be registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Contracting (NICEIC).

c) The contractor must be registered with the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA).

d) The contractor must hold a G39 certificate.

3. Traffic management & access

a) The contractor must be in possession of a valid IPAF – PAL (International Powered Access Federation – Powered Access Licence).

b) The contractor will need to provide evidence of (LOLER - Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) safety inspections.

c) The contractor must be familiar with the highway working requirements (signing, lighting, guarding etc.) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA). Qualification under this act is desirable.

d) Works in the public highway should be carried out between the hours of 18:30 and 07:00, to minimise disruption to traffic.

e) Any road closure(s) required for these works shall be the responsibility of the contractor; the contractor should submit a draft traffic management plan with their tender.

f) All work shall follow any requirements/standards set by the relevant highways authorities (Ceredigion County Council and the NMWTRA). Works should be done in consultation with these authorities.

Specification

Location / Street No of crossings Anchor Point Testing Type of Xmas light

Upper Great Darkgate Street -

Market Hall to Premier Shop single yes single strand of icicles

Great Darkgate Street - Starbucks single yes single strand of icicles

Great Darkgate Street –

Claires to Accessorize double yes double strand of icicles

Great Darkgate Street –

Café Nero to Poundland double yes double strand of icicles

Great Darkgate Street –

Vodafone to Betfred double yes double strand of icicles

Great Darkgate Street –

Boots Optician to Santander double yes double strand of icicles

Chalybeate Street – Boots Optician to TUI double yes double strand of icicles

Terrace Road - Spartacus to John Francis single yes single strand of icicles

Terrace Road - KFC to Venus Barbers single yes single strand of icicles

Terrace Road - Alexanders to Mobile Phone shop single yes single strand of icicles

Terrace Road - TSB Bank to Care Society single yes single strand of icicles

Terrace Road - Siop-y-Pethe to Tesco Express single yes single strand of icicles

Terrace Road - Barclays Bank to Inkwells single yes single strand of icicles

Terrace Road - 24hr Spar to The Works single yes single strand of icicles

Terrace Road – Outside Clive Menswear single yes single strand of icicles

Terrace Road - White Horse to Ceredigion Museum single yes single strand of icicles

Pier Street - Penguin Café to Art Shop single yes single strand of icicles

Pier Street –Sports Direct to Home Café single yes single strand of icicles

Pier Street – Ice Cream Shop to Driftwood Designs single yes single strand of icicles

New Street – Carpet shop to Welsh Computers single yes single strand of icicles

Town Clock Tower drapes 4 sides All sides drapes of icicle lights

Bridge Street - Corals to Agnellis single yes single strand of icicles

Bridge Street – Oriel y Bont to barbers single yes single strand of icicles

Bridge Street – R. Benjamin to Llew Du single yes single strand of icicles

Market Street - Vision Express to Claire Lloyd single yes single strand of icicles

Eastgate - Thatch to Antique shop single yes single strand of icicles

Eastgate – Downies Vaults to Light of Asia single yes single strand of icicles

Christmas Trees

Real

Owain Glyndwr Square (main tree) N/A N/A Xmas tree lights only

Penparcau – top of 3rd Avenue N/A N/A Xmas tree lights only

Trefechan - Entrance to Marina N/A N/A Xmas tree lights only

Steel

Alexandra Road – Outside Wetherspoons N/A N/A Xmas tree lights only

Neuadd Goffa Green Penparcau N/A N/A Xmas tree lights only

Llys-y-Brenin Square N/A N/A Xmas tree lights only

Top of Great Darkgate Street – By seating area N/A N/A Xmas tree lights only

Street Maps

Pier Street, Bridge Street, Upper Great Darkgate Street, Great Darkgate Street, Chalybeate Street, Eastgate, Market Street, Owain Glyndwr Square & Terrace Road.

Christmas Trees (Real) Steel Christmas Tree

Christmas Light Draped Crossing points -

Terrace Road, Llys-y-Brenin Square

Steel Christmas Tree –

Christmas Light Draped Crossing points -

Other Christmas Tree Locations

Trefechan – 25ft Nordman Fir

Penparcau - 25ft Nordman Fir & Steel Tree

Christmas Tree installations are to be carried out by an alternative contractor, however the holder of this contract may be called upon to assist with the tree erection prior to installing the Christmas lights; this may be at an additional cost, to be agreed prior with the Council.