Santa to be axed in council's Christmas cutbacks

Published on Wednesday 8 September 2010 17:52

THE Capital's Christmas celebrations are to be scaled back after they went massively over budget last year - and Santa Claus himself is among those to be axed.

&#149 The annual Santa Fun Run, which attracts thousands of entrants, is among events being scrapped

The city council has revealed that all events that have taken place in West Princes Street Gardens in the past have been cancelled.

It means that the popular attractions such as Santa and his reindeer and the Santa Express train line will be shelved. The annual Great Scottish Santa Fun Run has also been axed.

Details of the massive changes to the popular programme came after last year's event went more than 100,000 over budget.

A massive reduction in sponsorship income will result in total funding for this year being slashed by a third.

It also emerged today that organisers are hunting for a new operator of the ice rink on Princes Street Gardens after tearing up their contract with Karen Koren, who has previously managed the attraction.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the city's festivals and events champion, said: "Clearly, given the difficult financial climate, we are obliged to cut our cloth accordingly while continuing to provide an exciting programme with all of our core elements."

A new analysis of audience numbers revealed that the number of people that attended the Winter Wonderland ice rink and bungydome slumped by 46 per cent last year, to 34,458.

It is understood that concerns about the attendances led to the contract with Ms Koren not being renewed. Only 7500 of private sponsorship has been secured this year, and the Scottish Government is expected to pledge 20,000. Last year, 112,968 of sponsorship was secured.

Total funding secured for this year totals 567,249, compared with 811,414 last year. The council has cut its contribution by 25,000 to 197,384.

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "I am sure businesses will understand if the council has to pull back the amount it is spending. As a consumer, enjoying Christmas is not about how much you spend.

"If we stop being totally focused on money, a meaningful Christmas festival is about much more than how much people spend." Nickie Gott, managing director of Edinburgh's Christmas producer She's Gott It, said: "We are hoping to move elements whenever possible and Santa will definitely be there."

Ms Koren could not be contacted for comment.