Belfast City Council spends £77,500 on artificial Christmas tree

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 10:31 · Archive

Belfast City Council has purchased an artificial Christmas tree for £77,500 ahead of this weekend's Christmas lights switch-on and market opening. The new centrepiece for City Hall replaces the real tree previously used.

Benjamin Elks of the TaxPayers' Alliance described the expense as 'eye-watering', saying councillors must demonstrate the purchase represents value for money rather than leaving ratepayers to pick up the tab. He questioned the council's priorities in making such a costly acquisition.

The council decided in March 2025 to move away from real trees, citing difficulties sourcing suitable specimens for the location in recent years. The council states that artificial trees, despite higher upfront costs, can be stored and reused for many years, making them cost-effective long-term and environmentally friendlier. Of 85 Christmas trees used by Northern Ireland's 11 councils last year, 50 were real and 35 artificial, reflecting a wider movement among local authorities towards artificial trees as climate change makes sourcing large, visually uniform spruces more difficult.

How it is being reported

• Belfast council defends spending ‘eyewatering’ £77,500 on artificial Christmas treeBelfast Telegraph · 14 Nov, 10:00
• Five-figure cost of Belfast's new artificial Christmas tree slammed as 'eyewatering'The big Christmas lights switch-on event is tomorrow when the official Christmas market will openBelfast Live · 13 Nov, 18:34
• Poll: Is Belfast City Council's new £77.5k Christmas tree value for money?Belfast City Council has splashed out £77,500 on a new Christmas tree for this year's celebrations, which kick off in the city today, Saturday, November 14.Belfast Live · 13 Nov, 16:15

In this story: Belfast City Council · Belfast · TaxPayers' Alliance · Benjamin Elks

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