Traders are calling for fairy lights and decorations to be placed on lampposts along a road in a bid to “improve” the appearance of their area during Diwali and Christmas.

Members of the South Harrow Traders Association met at The Golden Sip, in Northolt Road, South Harrow on Tuesday.

Business owners of shops in Northolt Road believe the lights will make a “big difference” and entice more shoppers.

Ajay Kotak has owned Ideal Gifts and Parties, in Northolt Road, for 17 years and says that the council does provide some festive lights along part of the road but this is “not enough”.

He said: “All the traders want South Harrow to be the best it can be and even though the council does provide some lights, we feel it is not enough.

“We got a few last year and are usually given lights to put up in our shops but we also want something for the lampposts outside.

“We want people to visit and be impressed by the appearance of the area. It will make such a difference.”

Jayendra Parmar, owner of Easy2move Estate Agents, in Northolt Road, believes the road should make an “important” first impression for those who visit the area for the first time.

He said: “The lights do not need to be extravagant. People drive through this road to go further in to the borough and so first impressions of the area are really important.

“We want to try and show South Harrow is an enticing area so that more people will come into our shops.”

Masooma Sarwar, a spokesman for Harrow Council, said: “South Harrow is a vitally important shopping district for our residents and we already provide Christmas and Diwali lighting on Northolt Road, at a time when our budgets are shrinking, and when other areas have sadly lost their publicly-funded festive lights.”