Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has divided opinion with his eclectic designs for Blackpool’s iconic illuminations – which include a ‘tribute to his beloved dogs’.
The TV designer has been commissioned to oversee the creation of the popular illuminated displays along the resort’s six-mile-long promenade since 2010.
One of this year’s designs, called ‘Lusch Puppy’, pays tribute to Mr Llewelyn-Bowen’s dogs and shows the pampered pooches portrayed as dress-wearing aristocrats.
But some locals were left ‘baffled and disappointed’ and the leader of Blackpool Conservative Group claimed taxpayer money had been wasted on the ‘vanity’ project.
But staunch defenders, including the leader of Blackpool Council, leapt to the defence of the Changing Rooms star, 60, saying ‘people travel from all over to see the lights’.
The illuminations have been lighting up the iconic seaside town since 1879.
Another of the designs dubbed ‘Guardians of the North’ shows ‘three fire-breathing dragons inspired by ‘Lancashire’s deep-rooted myths and legends’.
A third, still under construction, called ‘Space Canopy’, is a ‘light inspired by the bright trails of stars and satellites moving across the night sky’ that stands 11.2 metres tall.
One of this year’s designs, called ‘Lusch Puppy’, pays tribute to Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s dogs and shows the pampered pooches portrayed as dress-wearing aristocrats
It is claimed that it has left residents ‘baffled’ and ‘disappointed’ as the leader of Blackpool Conservative Group claiming taxpayer money has been wasted on the ‘vanity’ project
Mr Llewelyn-Bowen receives a small annual retainer for his work on the illuminations but the amount is ‘commercially confidential’
The artwork named ‘Lusch Puppy’ is described by Mr Llewelyn-Bowen as a ‘tribute to his beloved dogs’
The designs have come under fire from the leader of Blackpool Conservative Group, councillor Paul Galley.
At a council meeting, Cllr Galley said: ‘Blackpool residents are angry and rightly so.
‘Money that should have been used to bring colour, energy and excitement back to our world-famous illuminations has instead been squandered on a vanity project.
‘The “artistic” light installations designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, including dogs in clothing, have left residents baffled, disappointed and, frankly, insulted.
‘This is not what Blackpool asked for. It’s not what Blackpool stands for.’
He added that the illuminations should be about ‘joy, spectacle, movement and colour’, but instead believes they are ‘self-indulgent “art” pieces that mean nothing to local people or our visitors’.
‘At a time when every penny of council spending is under scrutiny, the decision to pour money into such disconnected, elitist artwork is nothing short of scandalous,’ Cllr Galley added.
Mr Llewelyn-Bowen has since responded to the criticism, calling Cllr Galley ‘out of touch’.
The illuminations have been lighting up the iconic seaside town since 1879 with visitors at the time calling them ‘artificial sunshine’
While taxpayer money is used to build, install, and maintain the illuminations, the council said they ‘do not pay for any of his designs or any royalty of any kind for the designs’ and that ‘they are all gifted to us as part of our long term relationship’
Mr Llewelyn-Bowen (pictured) has been commissioned to oversee the creation of the popular illuminated displays along the resort’s six-mile-long promenade since 2010
The designs have come under fire from the leader of Blackpool Conservative Group, councillor Paul Galley (pictured)
Another of the designs called ‘Guardians of the North’ shows ‘three fire-breathing dragons inspired by ‘Lancashire’s deep-rooted myths and legends’
He told the BBC: ‘I’ve always ensured that we keep the heritage as part of the display, I think that’s a very important commitment to the legacy, but I love the idea of moving forward.
‘We are different people now and I think it’s funny that he (Mr Galley) thinks we should keep the clock turned back.
‘I’ve strived right the way through my tenure to make sure we are embracing modern technology, and I absolutely think the illuminations should always reflect the fact that all of us have different tastes.
‘To me, that’s absolutely what Blackpool Illuminations has always been about. It’s about scale, it’s about fun.
‘By all means, I think we should all say what we feel about things. I’ll always listen, but I think the Illuminations are in a good place at the moment. They’re there to be enjoyed.’
Cllr Galley then hit back in a war of words with TV star, saying the illuminations ‘should reflect Blackpool, not one individual’s taste’.
He said: ‘Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen says I’m “out of touch” for questioning his illuminations.
‘If standing up for Blackpool residents and visitors makes me out of touch, I’ll wear that badge proudly, unlike dogs in dresses, which many feel belong on a fashion catwalk, not the Promenade.
‘Laurence tells us “we should all say what we feel, I’ll always listen”, before immediately declaring that the illuminations are “in a good place at the moment”.
‘That doesn’t look much like listening, it looks like shutting the conversation down the moment someone disagrees.’
The leader of Blackpool Council councillor Lynn Williams has leapt to the defence of the ex-Changing Rooms star, 60, saying that ‘people travel from all over to see them’.
Mr Llewelyn-Bowen said he has ‘ensured that we keep the heritage as part of the display’
He went on to ask who gave Mr Llewelyn-Bowen the autonomy to decide what Blackpool illuminations should be.
‘His comments raise serious questions about governance and decision-making within this Labour-run council department,’ he added.
‘The illuminations are not a personal art exhibition, they are a public attraction, paid for by taxpayers, and they should reflect Blackpool, not one individual’s taste.’
Leader of Blackpool Council, councillor Lynn Williams, came to the defence of Mr Llewelyn-Bowen, saying she and millions of others disagree with Cllr Galley.
She said: ‘He hasn’t made known to me or anyone at the Council of anyone who holds these views, other than himself.
‘I choose to promote Blackpool and our illuminations.
‘People travel from all over to see them and we should be proud of Blackpool’s role in British culture – the history of the illuminations is innovation, entertainment and artistry.’
Blackpool Council pays Mr Llewelyn-Bowen a small annual retainer but the amount is ‘commercially confidential’.
While taxpayer money is used to build, install, and maintain the illuminations, the council said they ‘do not pay for any of his designs or any royalty of any kind for the designs’ and that ‘they are all gifted to us as part of our long term relationship’.
