Located in Ladybank, Blachere has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing lighting displays for over 45 years, illuminating iconic landmarks such as Harrods in London and The Trafford Centre in Manchester. This Christmas, they will brighten more than 500 locations across the UK and Northern Ireland.

From October until January, the business employs around 200 extra elves. These sub-contractors install a sleigh-load of lights ahead of Christmas across the UK, before removing the installations in January and transporting the lights back to Blachere’s depots around the UK. Once back in the workshop all lights are checked and repaired if necessary.

With help from Bank of Scotland, Blachere Illumations has seen increased growth year on year, and its funding helps the business take on more ambitious projects.

In the last five years Blachere has also revamped its processes to make its products more environmentally friendly. The light installations are now made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and designs are re-used each year.

While its Christmas installations are popular, Blachere also has bioprint shapes including flowers, starfish and musical instruments for summer installations.

The sustainable nature of the installations is one of the reasons Blachere Illuminations is so popular with customers, as currently there are not many companies globally that offer light installations made from sustainable materials.

Robert Stalker, managing director at Blachere Illuminations, said: “This time of year is always challenging but exciting. We have some fantastic light displays being installed across the UK and Northern Ireland by our 200-strong team – it’s certainly a great Christmas for Blachere.

“We’re proud of the product we offer and that we’re helping businesses and cities across the UK adopt more sustainable displays. We salvage millions of plastic bottles each year and break them down into flakes which are then used by our 3D printers to create our blue eco decorations.

“The funding from Bank of Scotland is essential for future growth so that we can take on and plan new and sustainable installations. We’re grateful for the support the Bank has given us over the years.”

Andrew McKie, relationship director at Bank of Scotland, said: “It’s brilliant to get behind and support businesses like Blachere Illuminations, which is on the front foot in offering sustainable solutions to Christmas lighting displays.

“Blachere has banked with us since 1994 and I’ve worked with them for ten years now, providing several types of funding over the years, including a package to increase its warehousing operation. It is a brilliant example of a business that is adapting to new client demands while growing its customer base and producing some of the most iconic Christmas displays across the UK. We’ll remain by the side of Blachere Illuminations as it continues to grow.”