City's Christmas celebrations fund down by £10k

The events include a food market at Carlisle Cathedral

A council has earmarked £50,000 for Christmas celebrations in a city - £10,000 less than last year.

Cumberland Council said it may end up not spending the entire budget for a street party and two food festivals planned in Carlisle, Cumbria, next month.

In 2023 it spent £40,000 on a Christmas lights switch-on event and a 17-day market, with an extra £20,000 of external funding.

This year, there are plans for a party on the recently refurbished Devonshire Street, plus a two-day food market funded by the government.

The council said it would not know the entire cost of the events until they happened, but it expected to have some budget leftover which it would allocate to other Christmas activities.

The changes to the way the events are delivered is due to regeneration work in the city.

A council spokesman said: "Despite this, we are determined to continue with the delivery of a comprehensive programme in support of the city centre and will be encouraging visitors and residents to make a visit and shop local."

The food market, called Taste Cumbria, is due to take place on 2-3 November on the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral.

The Devonshire Street Christmas party is scheduled for 24 November, with performances from community groups and other entertainment.