Newton: Businesses encouraged to help fund Christmas tree

In recent years, Newton has become an increasingly popular place to visit at Christmastime due to the community markets that are held along the high street.

These markets help to showcase the many thriving businesses in Newton, while the huge Christmas tree outside St Peter's Church attracts large crowds for its annual lights switch on.

Although St Helens Council has paid for the tree, as well as its installation, storage, and maintenance costs over the years, it is struggling to fund the festive project this year.

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Crowds flock to the annual Christmas light switch on in Newton (Image: Cllr Gomez-Aspron)
Councillors say the reason the council is struggling to fund Christmas costs this year is due to cuts from the previous government, as the current local authority budget was set last year.

The funding previously used to invest in Christmas lights across the borough is no longer available, and has been replaced by the Ward Councillor Grant Scheme.

This grants £2000 to each councillor to spend on projects that have a wider benefit to the community, and can be used to match investment for local projects.

This is why a favour is being asked of local businesses to help fund the festive project in Newton-le-Willows, with £2,500 the target to meet the tree, storage, maintenance, and lighting costs.

The borough's main Christmas light switch on events, in St Helens and Earlestown, will continue to be funded as normal, it is believed.

Businesses are being encouraged to donate towards the tree costs (Image: Cllr Gomez-Aspron)
Deputy leader of St Helens Council and councillor for Newton-le-Willows East, Seve Gomez-Aspron said: "The Council have always funded the lights and tree on Newton High Street.

"Before 2012, we had a crap tree and no lights. Now we have a fantastic tree and lights on the lampposts.

"The cost of doing this was £5000 a year for tree, lights, installation, storage and maintenance each year.

"The issue with Local Government is that this years budget was set last year, and due to government cuts, the funding we used to use has now gone.

"That leaves us with an issue: the new scheme can match fund with a community group.

"That means the Council can contribute £2500, but we need to raise £2500 to bridge the gap.

"Newton and Earlestown Community Group have always organised parts of the switch on [and they] have kindly agreed to organise the fund raising. Donations to the group can be written off by business for tax reasons to benefit businesses.

"It’s hoped that the businesses can donate, as the event around the Christmas markets gets most of them rammed busy.

"In previous years, some High Street pubs have had the highest turn over in the UK for their brewery that weekend and won a prize! Business booming is good. And it all grew out of the Switch On!

"The reason I’m raising it now is because if the match funding isn’t raised, then it won’t happen.

"St Helens and Earlestown as the boroughs two town centres will have their lights and tree installed still.

"Hopefully the High Street Hive and businesses can coordinate donations to boom the economy on that day.

"However, if not, the lights and tree will be scrapped. Fingers crossed we get there as there is no back up plan!".

Donations to help fund the Newton-le-Willows Christmas project can be made here.