The volunteers behind one of Harrogate’s longest-running festive traditions say they remain worried for its future existence after new demands by North Yorkshire Council.

Members of Starbeck Christmas Lights Committee have been struggling to reach agreement with the council’s Highways and Infrastructure department since September over the rules and costs of installing Starbeck’s Christmas Lights and the area’s giant Christmas Tree.

The dispute follows the launch of a review of long-standing arrangements for festive lighting locations across the North Yorkshire Council area, including Starbeck’s Christmas decorations which light up the route from Forest Lane Head to Starbeck High Street and beyond.

Funded solely by donations given by local businesses and members of the public, rather than public financing, members of Starbeck Christmas Lights Committee say they now face new logistical demands from North Yorkshire Council which would make the costs simply prohibitive.

Members of Starbeck Christmas Lights Committee have been struggling to reach agreement with North Yorkshire Council over the rules of installing Starbeck’s Christmas Lights and the giant Christmas Tree. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Members of Starbeck Christmas Lights Committee have been struggling to reach agreement with North Yorkshire Council over the rules of installing Starbeck’s Christmas Lights and the giant Christmas Tree. (Picture contributed)

Chrissie Holmes, Chair of Starbeck Christmas Lights Appeal, who is a Harrogate Town Councillor, says the loss of the festive celebrations in future was now a real possibility.

"We rely on public donations to fund Starbeck’s Christmas Lights which bring so much joy to the large disabled and special needs community we have here in Starbeck, as well as the elderly and the homeless,” she said.

"Seeing the faces of children as they walk to and from school when the Christmas Lights are lit is a sight to behold.

"The Starbeck Christmas Lights also bring in visitors to our High Street and boost trade.

"If we cannot raise the funds to make the changes the council suggests it would be devastating.

"It would have a major impact on the wellbeing of many people who love the Starbeck Christmas Lights.”

North Yorkshire Council says the need for competency certifications, risk assessments and structural tests on council-owned street infrastructure utilised by Starbeck Christmas Lights Committee for the festive lights is clearly for the public good.

To the hard-working volunteers in Starbeck, it all seems a long way from the days when their efforts received the active support of the former North Yorkshire County Council and the former Harrogate Borough Council.