Christmas lights in Liverpool will be turned on for less time this year as the council battles soaring energy costs.
Amid concerns that Liverpool Council could be forced to pull its festive provision as it looks to make savings ahead of the next financial year, it has been revealed how much it will cost to put up lights this Christmas. In a written response to a question from Cllr Sam Gorst on staging Christmas lights, Cllr Liam Robinson, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said energy costs for its annual festive programme had almost tripled from £885 in 2021/22, to almost £2,500 this year.
It was revealed last week that as Liverpool Council looks to plug a £73m gap in its finances ahead of the new financial year, a proposal has been put forward to dramatically strip back its festive provisions. This could include an £80,000 saving through not providing Christmas lights throughout the city centre.
