ANBC councillors delay call on Christmas cuts across Antrim and Newtownabbey

Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have deferred a decision on proposed changes to this year’s civic Christmas festivities.

The borough council’s Community Development Committee had been asked to approve three “flagship” Christmas light switch-on events, to be held at Antrim town centre, V36 at The Valley in Newtownabbey, and Ballyclare.

It is also proposed that illuminated Christmas trees would be provided in Antrim town centre, Ballyclare town centre, Crumlin, Randalstown, Hazelbank Park, Monkstown, Glengormley, and V36.

Another proposal would see the live streaming of switch-on events, which costs £10,000 annually, scrapped. Since 2018, the council has delivered a Christmas light switch-on event in each of the borough’s seven district electoral areas.

Last year’s switch-on programme attracted 12,100 visitors. The largest turnouts were in Ballyclare and Hazelbank Park, with 2,500 attendees each.

Randalstown, Antrim, and Glengormley drew 2,000 visitors each, while Crumlin hosted 800 and Mossley Mill 300. The total programme cost in 2024 was £101,222.

At a meeting on Monday evening, Airport Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile proposed deferring the decision, saying she believed more input was required from across the council’s 40 members “to allow for a fuller discussion and decision-making process”.

Cllr Ní Chonghaile warned that Crumlin would be “drastically affected” under the current proposals. Her motion was seconded by party colleague, Dunsilly councillor Annie O’Lone.

Antrim DUP councillor Paul Dunlop BEM questioned whether the proposed £20,000 budget for each flagship event would be “sufficient” to cover the scale of celebrations at V36.

Under the proposals, £20,000 would be allocated to each of the three flagship events, while £2,000 would be provided for festive activities in each of the borough’s 17 legacy council areas. A further £2,000 would go towards an awards and celebration event, bringing the overall programme cost to £96,000.

A council report noted that community-led Christmas events often “clash with council switch-ons”.

Commenting on the flagship event venues, the report stated:

“These venues ensure fair representation across the borough, preventing any one area from being overlooked and maintaining equitable access for all residents.

“Each site offers an established, safe, and accessible event space capable of hosting large crowds while supporting local business activity during the key pre-Christmas trading period.

“The chosen locations complement, rather than duplicate, community-led switch-ons, providing flagship events that bring together surrounding towns and villages while allowing smaller communities to continue with their own celebrations.”