Birkdale Village’s Christmas Tree, installed last week by Sefton Council, and just seven feet high, has disappointed residents, traders and councillors alike.
“There is a massive level of disappointment across the whole community” says Birkdale Lib Dem councillor Iain Brodie Browne (pictured).
Councillor Brodie Browne and his colleagues have been working hard over the last few days, trying to secure a more appropriate tree for this Christmas.
“One of the really disappointing things is that the Birkdale Civic Society raised the whole issue with Sefton Council months ago, even offering to pay for an appropriate sized tree, only to be told that this was unnecessary.”
“Birkdale Village is one of Southport’s most important and thriving local shopping centres. It’s just so sad to see this undersized and rather forlorn looking Christmas tree,” added Councillor Brodie Browne.
“I was delighted to be contacted by Rainfords Christmas Trees, who are in the St Helens area, who very kindly offered to supply a replacement tree for the village.
“My colleague Councillor Simon Shaw and I have had numerous telephone conversations with Rainfords and with various council officers in the last few days to try and find a solution for this Christmas.”
“Sadly things aren’t totally straightforward, and I know that our colleague Councillor Sonya Kelly has also been in touch with the council.”
“For example, a taller, growing tree would naturally have a larger root ball. There is not necessarily as much space under the pavement as would be ideal – due to gas pipes and electrical cables, which are no good for a growing tree and may have been partly responsible for the scraggy condition of the last one.”