By Michael Kenwood

Copyright belfastlive

A report from officials at City Hall has revealed that dedicated New Year’s Eve celebrations in Belfast City Centre would cost the ratepayer “north of £400,000.” A report for the Belfast City Council City Growth and Regeneration Committee, looking into the potential for an annual New Year’s Eve party, as proposed by the DUP , has concluded that the “cost to council is very significant.” The report confirms there will be no money for a New Year’s Eve party this year. The report states: “The Millennium Celebrations was a significant celebration across the globe and was celebrated in Belfast with an event outside City Hall. It was felt at the time that there was some merit in continuing to provide an event in subsequent years, this included two years of a Radio One Dance Party and a small concert at City Hall. READ MORE: Sinn Féin accuses Belfast Council of “blocking” LGBTQ city centre animation READ MORE: Belfast Christmas lights to get £50K extra funding but disagreement over locations “However, this particular event was discontinued for a number of reasons. (Firstly,) appetite – while there will always be some voicing of the wish for a New Years event in the city, there are questions over the appeal of attending a late concert in mid-winter. (Secondly,) the cost of staging this event was significant, both in respect of suppliers charging high ‘holiday’ rates but also artists.” It adds: “Costs a decade ago were circa £250k for an audience of 3,000 to 4000, and with event delivery costs rising significantly post-pandemic, the cost of an New Year’s Eve event could be north of £400,000. The opportunity cost to council is very significant.” It states: “As part of the development of the cultural strategy, recommendations were that the council did not host an outdoor New Year’s Eve event and, as members are aware, there is no budget for supporting NY celebrations in 2025, and there are already considerable pressures on both the Culture Tourism and Events teams. “Officers will however engage with city partners to understand their plans for New Year 2025, and a report on this will be brought back to the committee. As part of the agreed work in relation to the events action plan, officers are continuing to benchmark and assess the costs and impact of hosting NYE celebrations for future years.” DUP Councillor Sarah Bunting said at the City Growth and Regeneration Committee meeting: “This was an actual motion from my former colleague, which was adopted by the council in 2019, and then it fell off the radar. It had been mentioned in this committee a number of times, but nothing had come from it. “I want to make sure that this, as well as with the America 250 stuff, that we get regular updates, that it doesn’t fall off our radar again.” A plan detailing where new Christmas lighting will go in Belfast City Centre this year has caused controversy at City Hall, with Sinn Féin saying it does “not like the direction of travel.” Also at the City and Growth committee meeting last month, council officers laid down a plan for an additional £47,531 to the core Xmas lighting scheme, with new lighting planned for Royal Avenue, Ann street, Arthur street, Bank Square and Bridge Street. While this part of the scheme was agreed by the committee, plans to work with the Business Improvement Districts for Christmas lighting was called into question by Sinn Féin Councillor Christina Black, who argued there should be a drive to give Xmas lights to inner city communities. A council report stated: “Officers have engaged with the BIDs to identify additional areas that the BIDs will support through allocation of their own funding for Callender Street, Blackstaff Square, the Transport Hub, Writers Square and Hill Street. Discussions are ongoing about potential for co-funding of some of the additional features.” Sinn Féin Councillor Christina Black said: “I understand the BIDs need to focus on core areas, but our desire is to see festive lighting looked at in inner city localities. But we would not be content with that direction of travel in 2025. “I am pretty sure the Linen Quarter BID takes in St Mary’s and Hamill Street. We would prefer to see some additional Christmas lighting in the communities (like these). I am sure Weaver’s Cross can get their own Christmas lights up.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter