Lights out for Festival as Xmas funding is cut

A POPULAR Christmas event in Sutton Coldfield has been cancelled this year following a drastic cut in town council funding.

- NICK HORNER News Reporter

The Boldmere Christmas Festival normally attracts thousands of visitors PICTURE: RICHARD T HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY

(RICHARD T HARRIS)

Boldmere Futures has confirmed the 2025 Boldmere Christmas Festival and lights switch on, an event usually held in November, will not be taking place in 2025.

The not-for-profit community interest company (CIC) has said it cannot afford to host the event, which normally attracts thousands of visitors to Boldmere Road - known locally as Boldmere high street - this year.

Boldmere Futures has previously received grant funding from Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council's community grants budget.

In 2022 it received £9,605 and £10,000 the following year. But since then, despite asking for £10,000, the organisation received only £7,000 last year and was handed an even smaller grant of £3,000 for 2025.