Belfast councillors from across the political divide have been pressing council officers to produce a report explaining a decision to no longer have a Christmas Tree countdown and light switch-on in the city centre.
At the recent full meeting of Belfast City Council, a number of elected representatives highlighted the public outcry against the decision made by officers on “health and safety” grounds. The countdown and switch-on was last performed in front of City Hall in 2018.
This year the council spread the city lights switch-on across the city, with music and lighting and animation at various venues. There was a stage set up on Donegall Place on the night of the switch-on, and 2 Royal Avenue has become a new venue for Christmas events.
