Mansfield-based specialist interior fit-out company for the food, leisure and hospitality sector, Jephsons Shopfitters has stepped in to help Portland College by sponsoring the new Christmas lights that will form a central spectacle for this year’s festive celebrations.

Thanks to Jephsons’ sponsorship, 1,500 individual lights have been placed on Portland’s fir tree, which sits at the top of the College drive and that can be seen by all visitors entering the campus. Jephsons, which names Costa Coffee, KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut as customers, is a strong advocate of supporting good causes, especially those that make a difference to the local community.

The company even paid for the installation of the lights, which included the hire of a cherry-picker to reach the very top of the 20-foot tree.

Portland’s Principal, Dr Mark Dale was taken aback by the support from Jephsons; “This is a fantastic act of generosity from Jephsons and it will make a massive difference to all of our learners, citizens and occasional users of our respite services.

“The tree will be the pinnacle of our Christmas decorations and we can’t wait for the official switch on ceremony on the 23rd November, when everyone is invited to attend.”

Ian Jephson, Commercial Director for Jephsons, says he is looking forward to seeing the tree lit up in all its glory but is not overlooking the reason behind the company’s sponsorship.

“Portland College has played a substantial and vital role in the education of many local people as well as disabled young people from across the country. The College aims to give them the skills needed to lead a productive and independent life, if our sponsorship goes some small way to facilitating that aim then we are very happy to support the College.”

Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Coun Yvonne Woodhead will make the official switch on of the lights at 6.30pm on 23rd November, when there will be carol singing, gift and craft stalls and a visit from Santa from 6pm at the College campus on Nottingham Road.