City's Christmas could be 'called off' - council

Peterborough could be without its Christmas decorations unless more sponsors come forward, says the city council

A hard-up city council has appealed to local businesses to "save Christmas".

Peterborough City Council has said it needs more sponsors to contribute to the festivities in Cathedral Square, which are estimated to cost £56,000 and include a tree and decorations.

So far, sponsorship totalling £34,000 has been secured, leaving a shortfall of £22,000.

The council said: "Christmas could be called off if the funds are not found."

Budget gap

The authority, which is facing a predicted budget gap of up to £24m in 2025/26, has been trying to identify savings.

Mohammed Jamil, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: "If we make up the shortfall in the budget for Christmas, it will mean that our in-year budget deficit is even higher, and we cannot allow that to happen.

"We have said, as an administration, that we will make difficult decisions to meet our financial challenge.

"If you are a business and would like to sponsor the event please let us know.

"By doing so you might be helping to save Christmas in Peterborough city centre," said the Labour councillor.

The council has seen a 40% rise in homelessness in the last two years, a £1.1m increase in school transport funding and a growing demand for adult social care, with 2,580 new requests in the last 12 months.

The quarterly budget report projects a shortfall of more than £11m in net revenue this year.

Mr Jamil said the financial pressure on the local government was "immense" and there was "not enough money to meet demand".

Potential sponsors have been asked to get in touch with the city council.