City centre Christmas tree replaced with car sales
CHRISTMAS has not been cancelled in Inverness – despite appearances to the contrary in the city’s biggest public space.
Unbelievably, there will be no tree in Falcon Square this festive season after bosses at the Eastgate Centre, which owns the site, decided the old one which played Christmas tunes was past its best and they would rather spend their cash elsewhere.
Explaining the decision, which is sure to leave many residents and visitors disappointed, Eastgate Centre manager Jackie Cuddy said the artificial tree which has been a central feature of the square’s festive décor for the past four years was no longer fit for purpose thanks to a combination of winter weather and over-merry revellers who have tried to scale its heights on nights out.
She added the centre had also believed work on four new restaurants in the square would have started by now, although this will now take place early in the new year.
She said: “We have a new contract for the decorations now and we concentrated on making the entrance festive with stars and a sign saying ‘Happy Christmas’ in Gaelic.”
Insisting the public and retailers were “raving” about the new decorations, she also pointed out how the Eastgate had spread festive cheer further across the city centre this year by donating its old ones to the Victorian Market.
“We are absolutely delighted with what we have got,” she said, adding a new Jingle Bells Stage for carol singers inside the centre was a “great improvement” on previous provision.
While Highland Council has erected the usual large tree on the castle esplanade, along with two smaller ones at the entrance to Inverness Town House, the Eastgate decision has still been met with some disapproval.
A city centre shop worker, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is disappointing to see the square with nothing.
“At the moment it is just a parking lot for a local car dealership and not really festive at all.”
And Pat Hayden, chairwoman of Crown and City Centre Community Council, said: “It’s a shame because the tree on Falcon Square has always added to the festive ambience of the city.
“It is our only big square, and there are various things that go on there at Christmas usually.
“Is it really that expensive to have a tree?
“I suppose if they have spent their money that’s it, and they certainly got value for money out of the old one, but it is disappointing.”
Inverness Central councillor Bet McAllister agreed: “Falcon Square is a focal point of the city and I think everyone loves going along and watching the tree lights change,” she said.
However she thought the Eastgate Centre had done a “fantastic job” with their new decorations and added: “I have never seen the Victorian Market looking as good either, after being gifted the centre’s old decorations.”
Another shop worker from nearby premises also insisted: “I’m quite glad the tree is not here this year.
“It played Christmas tunes every 15 minutes and it was quite annoying after a while.”
