Tree wrapping has been rejected as part of festivities for Chester

Oct 5 2011 by Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle

CONTROVERSIAL colourful tree wrapping will not be returning to Chester after councillors decided it was not in keeping with the city’s festivities.

The decision comes less than a month after the trees and lampposts lining the streets and roads of Chester city centre were stripped of the stripy polyester for an initiative which cost £25,000.

Despite Cheshire West and Chester Council indicating the wrapping would be ‘adapted to reflect the seasons’, councillors have decided the material will not return for the rest of the year and the trees may remain undecorated for the foreseeable future.

The tree wrapping initiative, which was part of the Festival Alive With Colour Campaign, received criticism in some quarters due to the cost.

A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “We will not be doing the tree wrapping again this year.

“The tree wrapping does not fit in with this year’s plans of animating the streets during the Christmas period. We may return to tree wrapping for future festivals if it is appropriate.”

This year’s Christmas campaign will be focussed on the Town Hall Square after it was revealed the big wheel will not be returning for 2011.