A LACK of Christmas lights on a “dull” road is driving away custom, according to a central Bournemouth business owner.

Edward Restelica, owner of coffee bar and pizzeria Del Marco on Yelverton Road, claims the street is in desperate need of some brightening up for the festive season.

Mr Restelica said he was frustrated that lights are being erected on neighbouring roads while his own is missing out.

“It feels unloved and uncared for,” he added. “I am not happy as a business owner and rate payer – as you can imagine our rates are quite high here. The least they could do is put a few lights up. At the moment it looks dull and dark – there is nothing to attract shoppers here.”

Town centre manager Roger Parker said the absence of lights on the road had “been the case for the last 200 years”, adding that the council had increased the number and quality of illuminations displayed in the town for this Christmas.