‘SUBTLE’ SWITCH-ON FOR HANLEY’S XMAS LIGHTS
Organisers didn’t want to blow budget on just one big event
BUSINESS leaders will not be holding a special Christmas lights switch-on event in Hanley this year.
The event was last properly held three years ago when The Sentinel saved the day as a one-off after teaming up with Stoke-on-trent City Council which then refused to cough up the cash to host the event the following year. It was cancelled last year due to coronavirus.
But Hanley Business Improvement District (BID) – which is now in charge of city centre events – has not budgeted to hold a special switch-on event this year.
Instead the lights will just be illuminated on November 18 with no festive fanfare.
It comes as special switch-on events are being held across North
Staffordshire – including in Fenton, Burslem and Newcastle.
BID leader Richard Buxton said: “The cost of a Christmas lights switch-on was not within either our, or I guess, the council’s remit so we did not have the finance available to do it.
“We are spending a lot of money on Christmas this year and we were left with a choice – we can put all of our money into one, three-hour event or we can spread it over the Christmas period and we’ve chosen to spread it.
“We are always excited for Christmas. We look forward to the events we’ve got and the extra footfall. We look forward to people coming into the city centre and using our businesses.”
The BID is expected to announce its schedule of city centre Christmas events later this week. The lights switch-on had been due to coincide with the opening of
Winter Wonderland on November 18. But that has now been put back to November 25.
BID colleague Paul Williams said: “There will be a subtle switch-on. I think this year, more than ever, everybody is looking forward to Christmas. We want to focus on Christmas being a celebration this year and we’re hoping to put on a whole programme of events and activities working with businesses in the city centre.
“We have got to work around the current restrictions in place, but we hope it’s going to be a festive celebration after last year.
“We’re trying to do whatever we can to allow businesses to come together in a safe way and be part of the celebrations and encourage people to come into the city centre and spend time here.”
Shopper Chris Malkin has labelled the decision ‘disgusting’.
The 42-year-old, from Kidsgrove,
said: “After the last 18 months kids need something to look forward to. It is normally a great family day out and something I look forward to. I take my kids up there.”
Irene Moffatt, aged 74, of Stockton Brook, said: “I do think it is sad. I know it is difficult with covid. It is a big event and it brings everybody out.”
But Margaret Mellor, aged 79, of Bradeley Village, said: “It is understandable.”