Hartlepool joins growing list of UK towns cancelling Christmas lights switch-ons amid cost of living crisis: Council says it is axing event this year due to ‘substantial financial pressures’

• Hartlepool becomes the latest area to fall victim to the Christmas light crisis
• The town’s council said it could not afford to fund the annual festive switch-on
• Events in Cambridgeshire, Surrey, Bristol, Kent and Buckinghamshire were axed

Another penny-pinching council has been forced to axe its Christmas light switch-on – as they can’t foot the bill amid the cost-of-living crisis. 

Hartlepool Borough Council said it doesn’t have enough cash to stage the festive spectacle, blaming a lack of grants, funding, and the fact it has already splashed out money to pay for this year’s firework display, last month. 

The authority is the latest in a string of councils across the UK forced to scrap their festive illumination celebration as energy prices continue to soar.  

Organisers have warned the skyrocketing costs of providing lighting and security to police larger operations are ensuring the occasions aren’t viable in 2022.

There will be no big celebration in Hartlepool to mark the town’s Christmas light switch-on show as the council said it could not afford to fund the event, Pictured is the town’s illuminations

Hartlepool is the latest town to cancel its festive switch-on event. Pictured are revellers at Bond Street Christmas showcase on November 17

Not all events have been axed: Carnaby Christmas lights (pictured) titled Carnaby Celebrates, went ahead this month on November 8

Hartlepool insisted it would still have Christmas lights and decorations in the town but that it no longer had the cash to make a spectacle of the moment they were turned on. 

Taking to its social media page, the council said: ‘Given the substantial financial pressures facing the Council, we have made the difficult decision not to have a Christmas Light Switch-On event this year.

‘Our events budget is dependent on grants and although we had the fireworks display earlier this month, that was actually funded from one-off money in a department reserve.

‘The Christmas lights will therefore come on automatically at dusk this Friday afternoon.

‘We have over recent years sought funds wherever possible to increase the Christmas lights display across the town and we hope people will appreciate us prioritising that over a switch-on event.’

Despite the council putting on a measured post about its light switch on, many took to the comments section to criticise the council for its announcement.

Penny-counting councils across the UK have been cancelling Christmas light switch-ons and similar festive events as they blame the surging cost of energy. Pictured: The 2022 Oxford Street light switch-on

Christmas for thousands of shoppers across Britain will look markedly different this year as a number of traditional light displays will no longer go ahead. Pictured: The Regent Street lights in 2020

Commenting on the post, one social media user said: ‘This is outrageous, councils are spending money on unnecessary items but cancel something that brings a lot of joy to many.’

Another added: ‘An utter disgrace, surely the council can fund it – I don’t understand how this happens.’

However, not everyone was negative about the whole thing. Defending the council, one person said: ‘This is a sensible move, people are struggling and it shows that councils are too. A good move from you I think.’

Hartlepool’s tradition Christmas display is the latest to fall victim to the Britain’s financial crisis, following in the footsteps of local authorities in Cambridgeshire, Surrey, Bristol, Kent and Buckinghamshire, which have also axed displays.

The move will come as a blow for thousands of shoppers this Christmas.  

Ely City Council in Cambridgeshire cited ‘cost concerns’ as the reason behind the cancellation of its beloved Christmas lights display that cost £9,000.

Meanwhile, Guildford Borough Council claimed it could neither ‘afford nor justify’ funding its annual high street lights, which attracts thousands each year. 

Elsewhere, light shows and festive markets could also be scrapped in Kent and Bristol, while fears have also been raised about the exorbitant costs of Christmas trees this year [File image]

Organisers have warned the skyrocketing costs of providing lighting and security to police larger operations are ensuring the occasions aren’t viable in 2022

Elsewhere, light shows and markets could also be scrapped in Kent and Bristol, while fears have also been raised about the exorbitant costs of Christmas trees this year. 

Guildford Borough Council’s leader Joss Bigmore warned of ‘significant financial challenges’ to come as he confirmed the annual event would not go ahead for 2022.

‘We cannot deliver a Christmas lights switch on event safely for the anticipated size of the crowd,’ Cllr Bigmore said.

‘We would need an external event and crowd management service to do this. We cannot afford or justify value for money for such an additional significant cost.’

Christmas markets are also fearing for their future, with rates and costs soaring and cancellations already seen in Southampton, Glasgow and Leeds.

The West Yorkshire fair, usually held in Millennium Square, warned it faced ‘significant budget pressures’.

Meanwhile, in Truro, Cornwall, the festive City of Lights Parade has been axed due to a lack of available funds.

Illuminations will also be cut short in Boxberry Gardens, Milton Keynes, thanks to ‘limited resources’. 

Christmas markets have also taken a hit, with cancellations in Leeds, Southampton and Glasgow. Other venues will host familiar festivities, but with a slight twist for 2022.

In Oxford Street, London, the iconic strip of lights will use LED bulbs for limited hours this year to help businesses shave unnecessary waste off their energy bills.

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