Christmas celebrations to be dimmed as budget slashed

The council’s events team spent nearly £30,000 in 2010 switching the lights on and on the city’s main Christmas tree, a 45ft sitka spruce in Queen Victoria Square that was decorated with white LED lights.

But a briefing note to the authority’s culture, leisure and sport scrutiny working party reveals the team’s festive budget for 2011-12 has been slashed by more than 75 per cent to a miserly £7,000.

The council is hoping to make up the shortfall from other departments and its partner organisations.

The report said: “Increased emphasis will be placed on partnership contributions to this aspect of Christmas. As yet there is no confirmation of partner budgets, including those held by street lighting.”

In total, £157,541.23 was spent promoting and celebrating Christmas by the council and its partners.

This included nearly £86,000 on Christmas lights, decorations, fixtures and fittings by the street lighting department – although this does not include additional energy costs.

Hull’s Business Improvement District spent £20,000 towards the “Christmas campaign” and national elf day activities. The campaign was also bolstered by £12,500 from the three main retail outlets, and by £10,000 from bond holders towards the cost of Festive Thursdays.

About 30,000 people attended the switch-on last year, which was moved from a Thursday evening to a Sunday afternoon.