Hastings council no longer funding Christmas trees

Hastings Borough Council says it is prioritising providing housing for those in need

Hastings Borough Council says it can no longer afford to provide a number of Christmas trees to be placed around the East Sussex town.

The council has asked for local businesses to group together to try to help fund the trees which attract visitors each year over the Christmas period.

The council said: "The council remains in a financial situation which shows that we will not be able to balance our budget in the coming years due to the increasing cost of providing temporary accommodation for residents we have a duty to house."

Hastings Old Town traders have launched an online appeal to raise money for a tree at Butlers Gap in George Street.

So far they have raised £500, exceeding their original target of £200.

Organiser Hannah Adams said: “We don’t want to loose the spirit of Christmas so we are asking for donations."

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