Lights out for shop windows?

From April, businesses that use more than 6,000 Mega Watt hours of electricity a year will have to register for the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme and, from next year, pay for the carbon they emit. They must also work to reduce their carbon emissions or potentially be given a stiff penalty.  According to the Environment Agency, switching off the lights on all-night displays could be a solution for some retailers.

But although it might be cheaper and more energy-efficient to turn off the illumination at night, there would be an impact of dimming the high street lights.  Richard Dodd of the British Retail Consortium believes that darkening all the high street stores would have economic implications for nearby restaurants, pubs and theatres. "You would find, if you spoke to town centre managers, they would have some real concerns about blacked-out town centres," he says. "Having blacked-out shops seems less appealing and safe."

So the debate is on - reduce carbon or ensure people can window shop safely at 3.30 in the morning?  Surely there is a sensible road that can be taken?  Not many restaurants and theatres are still open for business in the really small hours so dark streets then wouldn't have the detrimental impact being disvussed.  It would also help reduce light pollution. Two birds with one stone - sounds like a winner.