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Christmas lights row in ho-ho-Hove

1:04pm Thursday 20th December 2007

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As Christmas decorations go they are among the most flamboyant you could ever expect to see.

But a takeaway shop which decided to really push the boat out this year has got a decidedly chilly reception from its neighbours.

Eddy's Takeaway in Sackville Road, Hove, has covered its entire shop in the amazing flashing festive lights, including trees, snowmen and rooftop decorations.

It has cost Christmas-mad owner George Shakir thousands of pounds and drawn praise from the shop's hundreds of regular customers.

Mr Shakir said: "We love it, it really gets us all in the festive spirit and the customers seem to enjoy it too.

"It takes ages to put it all up but when you stand back and take a look, it looks brilliant."

But despite the dazzling display, some people living near the shop have complained that the decorations are over the top.

Kim Sayers, 54, from Sackville Road, said: "At night, when the lights get switched on, they beam straight through my window and makes it difficult for me to get to sleep.

"Luckily I have some really thick curtains which just about blocks them out.

"But for anyone who hasn't it's probably a big problem. I'm all for the Christmas spirit - I love this time of year.

"But that is a bit over the top."

Another resident, Sharon Carter, 32, also from Sackville Road, said: "I like the lights but there are too many of them.

"We all love a bit of festive cheer but when it intrudes right into your living room every night there is a limit to how far that will stretch.

"Don't get me wrong, I go into Eddy's quite a bit and my husband does too.

"I think I'll ask them next time to tone it down a bit."

However Eddy's regular Tony Shapiro, from the nearby Old Shoreham Road, said: "How can you moan about it? Anyone that does is a Scrooge in my book.

"It brightens up the place and really gets you in the festive spirit. They do a great bit of grub too so you can't really go wrong."

Mr Shakir has been putting up the lights for a number of years with the display growing each time as his collection of decorations grows.

He said he has no plans to tone them down but said he would try and consider neighbours' concerns in the future.

There are no specific laws governing the use of Christmas lights on properties.

But environmental health inspectors can order their removal if deemed to be too bright, or a hazard to passing motorists or pedestrians.

Are the lights too much or do they give the area a festive feel? Tell us what you think below.

miles.godfrey@theargus.co.uk

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caeos, says...
1:23pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Isn't this a rerun of last years story about the same shop?

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Dave, Hove says...
1:38pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Its a shame people go on about the lights. Think of all the Muslims & Children of Mile Oak he is offending!!

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ray, ex brightonian says...
1:41pm Thu 20 Dec 07

leave the guy alone .it's nice to see a bit of christmas cheer. you don't get any good lights from brighton&hove council.

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b, Brighton says...
2:12pm Thu 20 Dec 07

ho,ho,ho - about time to ban Christmas and just make it a "Holiday"

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Scrooge, Home says...
2:15pm Thu 20 Dec 07

One mans 'brilliant' is anothers tacky trappings of chavdom.

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Norris, Brighton says...
2:35pm Thu 20 Dec 07

"It brighten's up the place"

Nice to see the sub-editors have already all gone to the pub for a christmas drink before publishing this non-story.

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winkywonky, Brighthelmstone says...
3:01pm Thu 20 Dec 07

BAA HUMBUG

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David, Hove says...
3:05pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Bright lights

Dull food...

Merry Christmas

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Crunchie, Saltdean says...
3:31pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Cycling in Saltdean the other week I was distracted by a couple putting up hundreds of lights on the front of their house. As a result I rode over a load of their lights trailing across the pavement!

I should have backed up and made a proper job of it to save them embarrassing themselves further..

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wheeze, hove says...
4:31pm Thu 20 Dec 07

If "Eddy" put as much effort into food hygiene as he does with his christmas lights i may be tempted to eat there again. Last time i eat there my "little star of Bethlehem" was stinging for days afterwards.

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Jez, Brighton says...
5:20pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Brighton and Hove are not traditionally recognized for their Christmas lights, usually it is a string of white bland bulbs across a road. So some individual actually places some coloured light displays which will certainly cheer and entertain passers by and kids and then he gets slaughtered!

Why are people so miserable here, whatever someone tries to do there are so many that complain.

You live in a city, if you want peace, quiet and no bright lights go and live in the sticks out of the way!

Seasons Greetings

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Porky, Hove says...
5:21pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Here we go again, the PC brigade have decided to stick their nose in to something that gives people enjoyment and try to ban it. My kids love Eddies decorations. If these lights are such a hazard to motorists then ban the 100ft christmas tree in Trafalgar Square with thousands of motorists passing it everyday or ban the lights on the Palace pier. Or go one further and rename the christmas tree Ramadam tree and nobody would be allowed to complain or they'll be accused of racism.

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Mr T.Roll, Teh Internets says...
5:26pm Thu 20 Dec 07

http://****/ blah

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babs, brighter brighton says...
5:41pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Muhammad the pig wrote:
"But for anyone who hasn't got thick curtains it's probably a big problem. I'm all for the Christmas spirit - I love this time of year." "I think I'll ask them next time to tone it down a bit." Christmas lights ROW??? where was the F'king ROW? did I miss something?
Tone it down a bit??? Some people won't be happy until their own lights are turned off. S.Carter - get a life - get some lights it's your attitude that needs toning down.

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David Banner, Hove says...
7:01pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Porky wrote:
Here we go again, the PC brigade have decided to stick their nose in to something that gives people enjoyment and try to ban it. My kids love Eddies decorations. If these lights are such a hazard to motorists then ban the 100ft christmas tree in Trafalgar Square with thousands of motorists passing it everyday or ban the lights on the Palace pier. Or go one further and rename the christmas tree Ramadam tree and nobody would be allowed to complain or they'll be accused of racism.
Yes. Why not turn a boring story about some Christmas lights into a PC-gone-mad/racial issue. Dunderhead.

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frank the idiot, says...
7:11pm Thu 20 Dec 07

i like the lights because they entertain me, they switch on then with no warning they switch off. I hope that more lights be put in town, the flickering brings hours of joy to me.

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confused, somewhere in the cold says...
8:20pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Does anyone know why the big snowman in Brighton Marina has a problem with its lights. I know its a sad question but sometimes when i go down half of it is lit up, then sometimes only the hat is on or the hat is off. I mean if your going to put something that big in such a prominent position surely you should make sure it works. Last year it never lit up at all. As I said I know its sad but its really bugging me now.

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fact, says...
8:28pm Thu 20 Dec 07

confused how dare you post such a stupid question, you must be the saddest poster on the whole web. you sad sad person

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confused, somewhere in the cold says...
8:37pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Fact:- said it was a sad question, but it really is bugging me. Wouldnt say though that i'm the saddest poster on the whole web, have you seen some of the comments on here recently. Mind you some of them have given me a good laugh so I cant be that sad.

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Flat Foot Soozie, Brunswick Square says...
8:41pm Thu 20 Dec 07

I should think that Eddy will increase the price of his unappetising-soundin
g "food" to pay for the electriciy bill and all his lights.

Does he get a lot of custom from the Clarendon slackers?

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Rose, brighton says...
8:42pm Thu 20 Dec 07

I thought the same when I saw the snowman confused

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fact, says...
8:44pm Thu 20 Dec 07

confused I would give you the answer if i knew, but i dont. However there have been many sad comments made about the muslin "terrorist" coming back to brighton, so on that front I guess your not the saddest.

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confused, somewhere in the cold says...
8:45pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Thank you Rose, i'm so glad i'm not the only one its bugging.

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confused, somewhere in the cold says...
8:51pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Thank you Fact. I knew if you had the answer you would post it. I have seen some of the many comments about Muslin "terrorist" but I try not to get involved on such deep issues, I like the light hearted look on issues, things that can raise a smile and a laugh because there's not a lot out there these days to do that.

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Valerie Paynter, Hove says...
9:11pm Thu 20 Dec 07

People moan and feel glum about the lack of festive spirit and Christmas decorations and trees put up for the street. And along comes Eddy's in Sackville Road to shame the British Christians by infusing visual joy into Sackville Road.

The owners are Middle Eastern and full of Christmas spirit.

Last year this fast food shop's lighting reminded me of a 1950's Chinese restaurant lighting job. I was ecstatic.

This year they have added the tree. Love it. But the inflatable Santa over the door is OTT and they seem to want to cover every square inch now with these lights.

But I still love it. I loved it enough to ring the Argus picture desk last week and ask them to come and take a picture.

Eddy's facade is pure unrestrained effusive joy. A love of life is reflected here and he doesn't use these lights all year round. Just for Christmas.

Moaners please cheer up.

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david cameron-young, abingdon, oxfordshire says...
9:20am Fri 21 Dec 07

what a brilliant idea this man has. why dont we all celebrate with a bit of fun. sod off all you moaners

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Flat Foot Soozie, Brunswick Square says...
10:34am Fri 21 Dec 07

It's going to take more than a few gaudy lights to bring any joy to that area. They are always moaning about rubbish chutes, washing on the balcony instead of in the bath, ignoring dead neighbours for weeks and instead of cleaning the kitchen they fill their overweight children with expensive take aways from places like Eddys.

Despite the one at Eddys door, Santa knows who's been naughty and nice - and he will be steering clear of the naughty Clarendon slackers.

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Stroller, Hove says...
11:12am Fri 21 Dec 07

Eddy's lights are hardly sustainable practice, burning up precious resources, but the Argus has recycled this story by putting it on again at the top but without these entertaining comments.

Why doesn't the Argus go and get some new stories instead?

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Eddy's Takeaway in Hove Eddy's Takeaway in Hove

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