Christmas tree lastly eliminated on the town centre – greater than 80 days into New Year
Most Brits are planning their Easter Egg hunts and half-term holidays, but one town has only just taken down its Christmas Tree, more than 80 days into the New Year
A town centre Christmas tree has finally been taken down just three weeks before Easter.
Confused residents in the market town of Guiseley, near Leeds, have been left scratching their heads after the 20ft Spruce in their market square was in place for four months. The Spruce was erected on November 15, 2024, and was finally removed by Leeds City Council on Monday – 83 days into the New Year – despite the fact a local charity had paid it £500 to install and dismantle the festive fir.
Paul Alderson, 38, who lives near the site, said: “It’s not too much to ask for a Christmas tree to be removed by Easter. I’m hoping that the council won’t do this again, because it had to be chased up last year too.”
Mr Alderson, a former councillor for Guiseley and Rawdon, said he got in touch with the local authority after hearing complaints from residents after the large tree started to brown and become an eyesore.
He said the tree is paid for via the Outer North West Community Committee, with a bill from the council of around £500 for installation and removal costs.
It is decorated by the Guiseley Lights team, a Community Interest Company made up of volunteers who raise funds to brighten the town each year.
Mr Alderson continued: “The council has received the money, so they should fulfil the service. It is disappointing and concerning that it has taken members of the public to complain for something to be done.
“It was a great tree, but it has somewhat died back and browned now. You could forgive someone for thinking it had been forgotten.”
He took to his Facebook page to vent his frustration at the situation, where he told followers: “This situation is actually made worse by the fact that it’s not reliant on council tax, so they can’t blame anyone else for the failure here.
“The tree has always been funded by community funds, made available to spend on our local area, so it’s no different to paying someone for a service upfront and them taking the money and not carrying out the work.”
Not everybody in the city would have angry about the festive fir still being up, however. Christmas lover Emma Jones, 35, previously revealed how she starts buying Christmas decorations and presents in January.
Speaking last year, she said: “Christmas is the best time of the year! The earlier the better, I started buying Christmas decorations and presents in January! Merry Christmas, I say.”
Leeds City Council has been approached for to comment.
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