A man has forked out an eye-watering £7,000 on a festive display for his local boozer – but drinkers have been left saying the same thing.
Naylan Thomas estimates there are over 10,000 lights to switch on each day.
And his electricity bill has reached a whopping £500 for the month.
It’s the fourth year the 34-year-old has gone all out for the holiday season, with him previously turning his home into a magical winter wonderland.
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Now, for 2025, he’s turned his newly acquired pub into a miniature Santa’s Grotto, complete with over 100 Nutcracker figurines and four Christmas trees.
And the festive enthusiast doesn’t care about the cost – or comments from local drinkers – as it’s all for one important cause.
“I’ve had passing comments saying we’ve gone overboard,” Naylan, who owns the Brown Trout pub in Llantwit Fardre, South Wales, told Need To Know.
“Lots of people have said everything will soon be broken by drunk people.
“Or that it looks like Blackpool Illuminations and the lights are blinding them.
“But I couldn’t help myself.
“The area we’re in doesn’t have a lot of money and there’s no funds available to decorate our local community.
“I feel for all the families who want to spread some magical cheer.
“So we took it upon ourselves to decorate the pub top-to-bottom and opened the doors to everyone, for free.”
Naylan spent two long sleepless nights after closing decking the halls, with the pub ready to welcome those looking for a bit of festive cheer.
In total, along with new decorations, lights, ornaments and to light everything up, it’s costing an estimated £7,000.
He, along with his husband, now live in the pub full-time and so the display is also satisfying their personal Christmas fix.
Naylan found inspiration to do the all-out display after moving into his first home and noticing how “empty” the garden looked.
He added: “It had a huge front garden perfect for all my ideas.
“I just wanted to go all out and it went from there really.
“It involved a mad rush to Home Sense, Costco and The Range to get everything up and running in time.
“But when I see the kids’ faces light up as soon as they walk in, especially getting a photo on the sleigh, I remember how worth it the effort is.
“I love the way Christmas gathers everyone together – there is just something so special about this time of year.
“It’s also about the small things; spending time with friends and family, as well as making memories that really do last a lifetime.
“Decorating is my way of letting my inner child out.
“Throughout the year, I believe less is more – and then Christmas time hits and more is more – and that still isn’t enough.
“No one should feel left out at this time of year.
“I don’t think it’s fair that people in our community won’t get to celebrate it properly due to lack of funds.
“So if we can create our own winter wonderland for everyone to see, then why not?”
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