Local councils in Greater Manchester spent tens of thousands of pounds each on celebrations for the King's coronation earlier this month. One town hall set aside up to £52,000 to put on events in the area, while some spent nothing.
The money went towards street parties, screenings and other public activities held over the bank holiday weekend, starting on May 6. Some local authorities in Greater Manchester also benefited from government grants for the events.
Independent news website openDemocracy asked all councils across the country how much they planned to spend on the coronation. The seven councils in Greater Manchester which responded said they had allocated a combined total of £126,821 for coronation events, according to the website.
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This includes two councils - Salford and Stockport - which said that no cash was set aside for coronation events. Bolton, Manchester and Trafford did not respond to the Freedom of Information request, according to openDemocracy.
However, Manchester council has since revealed that it spent £18,129 on coronation-related activities. The town hall says the money was spent to support communities across the city who were marking the historic occasion.
The local authority facilitated road closure requests for residents hosting street parties. The council spent £6,375 supporting more than 60 street parties across the city such as by providing bunting and road closure signs.
A further £11,754 was spent on decorations within the city centre, including on lamp post signs and library banners. The additional costs of the screening of the coronation at Piccadilly Gardens was covered by a government grant.
The Greater Manchester council which allocated the most towards coronation events was Oldham, according to openDemocracy. The website reported that £52,000 was set aside for activities related to the coronation in the borough.
The local authority now says its town centre event cost £38,664, but part of this was funded by a £17,500 grant from the government. The council says that the event drew in an estimated 3,000 extra people into the town centre.
Oldham council's executive director for place and economic growth Emma Barton said the local authority wanted to help residents and communities come together and celebrate the 'momentous' and 'historic' occasion in style.
She said: "That’s why we put on a day of family-friendly entertainment in the town centre, including live screening of the coronation on a big screen, and also funded more than 100 street parties across the borough so people could celebrate in their own neighbourhoods. We’ve already had some fantastic feedback from members of the public who have told us they really enjoyed the weekend and made some special memories with their friends, families and neighbours.
"Our town centre coronation event cost £38,664, which was partly funded by a £17,500 grant to the council from the Department for Culture Media and Sport - and was free to attend too, which we feel is more important than ever to families due to the ongoing cost of living crisis. Money spent on the event was also an investment in our town centre businesses, as it drew an estimated 3000 additional people into the town centre last Saturday, who may otherwise have stayed at home."
Wigan council allocated up to £40,000 for coronation celebrations, including around £10,000 to help residents host their own street parties. However, the local authority says it cannot yet confirm the final amount spent in the end.
This is partly because one of the events planned in Wigan was cancelled due to a forecast of persistent and heavy rain. The Big Coronation Lunch at Leigh Town Hall went ahead on May 7, but the Mayor's Coronation Party in the Park which was due to take place at Mesnes Park the following day was cancelled.
A Wigan council spokesperson for, said: "This was the nation’s first coronation in 70 years with our efforts focussed on helping neighbourhoods and communities come together to celebrate and show civic pride.
"Following the success of our Platinum Jubilee events last year, the majority of the spend was allocated for our two free public events featuring local performances and traders with something for all the family, as part of our annual events schedule."
Responding to the Freedom of Information request, Rochdale council said it allocated £19,610.50 on coronation events, according to openDemocracy. Bury council allocated £14,000 towards the coronation, the website said.
Tameside council allocated £1,210 on coronation-related activities, according to the website. Salford and Stockport councils said no money was allocated for coronation events, however, both local authorities facilitated road closures.
Salford-based organisations hosting an outdoor event in open spaces or local parks were also able to apply for a King Charles III Coronation Grant for events taking place in the city between May 4 and 8. Two types of grants were available - grants under £500 aimed at non-constituted groups, where the event is open to local residents, groups and members, and grants over £500 aimed at constituted groups, where the event is open to the wider community.
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