Nottingham City Council has announced there will be no changes to the plans for Christmas lights this year despite the ongoing energy crisis. Elsewhere across the country, officials at Guildford Borough Council in Surrey announced they cannot justify the cost.
The lights and Christmas Market are one of the highlights of the year, drawing thousands of shoppers to the city centre. Located in Old Market Square, Winter Wonderland is operated by the Mellors Group, and, last year, it was a smaller-scale event due to Covid but this time around will mark a return to the full festivities.
In 2020 the market opened for just one day before Tier 3 Covid restrictions meant it had to close. This year should see a full return to the stalls, street food, bars and entertainment that the market is known for.
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There is traditionally a 60ft Norway Spruce Christmas tree complete with lights put up in the middle of the square with more than 4,000 bulbs. The city council's portfolio holder for leisure, culture and planning, Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “We are currently working with the Mellors Group to help them bring forward a refreshed Winter Wonderland offer this year. There are no modifications to the proposals to take increased energy costs into account - in fact, there are some exciting ideas which, if agreed, will make for an extra special Christmas attraction.
"Details are still being finalised and will be announced, along with event dates, next month.” The dates for the event will be announced in the next month. Other councils in England have cancelled their switch on events, the cancellations including Ely in Cambridgeshire in light of the necessary costs. Nottinghamshire Live contacted the Mellors Group for comment.
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