Cork County Council has defended the cost of Bantry's new Christmas tree, which set it back €7,600.
CORK County Council has defended the cost of Bantry’s new Christmas tree, which set it back €7,600.
The synthetic tree was purchased by the Council this year, and it says it will pay for itself in three to four years.
A non-shed natural tree including purchase, transport and erection, would be in the region of €1,500 to €2,000 every year, the Council pointed out. And, on occasion, the Council has even had to replace Christmas trees, damaged due to bad weather.
‘The intention is to make Bantry an attractive place at Christmas time for visitors and to encourage people to shop local,’ a statement added.
‘The Christmas Tree is looking great,’ Cllr Danny Collins (Ind) said. ‘It will pay for itself in the long run and there is already a fantastic atmosphere around the town, we are all looking forward to welcoming everybody to Bantry this Christmas.’
‘I would agree,’ Cllr Mary Hegarty (FG) said. ‘We are trying to make Bantry beautiful for Christmas and support local business. In relation to the tree it looks great and it will pay for itself over the next few years.’