Scarborough park illuminations trail accused of pricing out families

The trail in Peasholm Park is part of Scarborough Lights Festival, which is hosting illuminations across the town until 23 December

An illuminations event in a North Yorkshire coastal park has been accused of pricing out local families and failing to live up to expectations.

The Winter Lights Trail in Peasholm Park is part of Scarborough Lights Festival, which runs until 23 December.

But some visitors complained about £35 family tickets during a cost-of-living crisis, pointing to free light events such as the Blackpool Illuminations.

North Yorkshire Council said it had "tried to keep the cost down".

The Scarborough Lights Festival is the first event of the Scarborough Fair cultural initiative, which has received £1.2m from the government's Towns Fund.

Despite positive feedback for elements of the festival so far, including a ticketed drone display over Scarborough Castle, some residents shared their disappointment about the park trail.

Guy Smith, whose home overlooks the park, said: "Scarborough is an area of high deprivation, we've got three wards within walking distance of the park which are full of people who don't have a lot of spending power.

"What were they thinking, expecting people to spend £35 on half an hour's walk?"

Some visitors to the park have questioned why they are charged to enter an event which has received government funding

Mr Smith, a former town councillor, felt it did not provide value for money when compared to other free illumination events around the country.

"When I got down there on Wednesday there were half a dozen displays at most," he said.

"A lot of people have been commenting over the last week about how disappointed they were."

Wayne Murray, who also lives in Scarborough, said: "I believe it is too much in a cost-of-living crisis, especially when the fliers state it is funded by the government.

"We live in one of the poorest areas in North Yorkshire - if it is funded why not let local families in free and charge visitors?"

North Yorkshire Council says it expects Scarborough Fair's schedule "will grow in popularity as it continues"

Commenting online, one local resident said: "Too expensive, would have had more visitors if charged around £5."

Another said: "Looks great but not many can afford the £10.50 entrance fee."

However, one visitor said he "would thoroughly recommend" the display, adding: "In my opinion it's definitely worth going."

Responding to criticism over the cost on social media, Scarborough Lights told one resident the majority of the festival's events were free.

"The reason for the cost is due to providing exclusive works that have not been seen in the UK before," it posted.

Councillor Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for culture, arts and housing, said: "Thousands of people have already enjoyed the lights, which feature local, national and international artists who bring their profile and reputation with them adding great value and attracting new as well as return visitors.

"While parts of the event are ticketed to help deliver such a high-quality programme, much of it is free and we have tried to keep the cost down as much as possible."

He said a £7.50 off-peak discount option had been added to the online ticket sales page, with concessions in place for local residents.

He added: "This is just the start, and we expect the fair schedule will grow in popularity as it continues."