Skip to content

Town's tiny festive tree replaced after complaints

BBC A Christmas tree in Alnwick's main square with a dozen volunteers wearing yellow hi-vis jackets standing in front of itBBC
Alnwick's new tree is almost double the height of the original one

A town square Christmas tree has been replaced after its predecessor was criticised for being too small.

Many people took to social media to complain that the usual centrepiece of Alnwick's Christmas lights display was a tad on the tiny side.

Northumberland Estates, which donates a tree to the town every year, said it acknowledged the tree "did not meet everybody's expectations" and it had "sourced an alternative" which was put up on Sunday.

At 30ft (9m) tall, the new tree is almost twice the height of the original one.

A small Christmas tree in the centre of Alnwick's market place with a number of vehicles parked around it.
Many people in Alnwick took to social media to complain the original tree was a bit small

Kevin Nicholson, chairman of the Alnwick Lights Committee which puts up the town's illuminations, said the original tree had attracted a "lot of negative comments".

He said: "We are really grateful to the Duke of Northumberland for providing us with this new magnificent tree so I hope people in Alnwick will be pleased with it.

"It's been a lot of extra work as we we've got this one to decorate again."

A Christmas tree on the ground in the market square in Alnwick
The smaller tree was taken down and collected by Northumberland Estates

David Fletcher, on a walk through the Market Square, said the new tree was "much better".

"It's a big improvement on the previous one anyhow," he added.

An older man wearing a blue coat and light blue jumper is standing in front of the Christmas tree
David Fletcher, from Alnwick, said the second tree looked much better

Olivia Cavanagh, the manager of The Pig in Muck bar, said a few customers had joked about the size of the original tree.

"So it's great to see that lovely one they've just put up," she said, adding: "We are so grateful to those volunteers who make Alnwick look amazing, the Christmas light switch on is our busiest night of the year."

Olivia Cavanagh is standing outside a bar called the Pig in Muck in Alnwick's town centre. She is young and wearing a long black coat
People with businesses in the town have welcomed the bigger tree

Gordon Castle, President of the Alnwick Lights Committee and Alnwick Conservative councillor, said: "The old tree was a bit small in its context, that's the worst you can say.

"The new one is a present to the town, so let's get on with having a fine Christmas starting with a fine tree".

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].

More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria
Related internet links