A council at the centre of a row over bin strikes has been blasted by locals for putting up a 65ft Christmas tree in the middle of October.
The massive fir was erected in Birmingham city centre’s Victoria Square over the weekend in preparation for its annual German Market.
But residents, who have been living with the consequences of ongoing bin strikes, have said the local authority needs to get its ‘priorities straight’.
More than 350 refuse workers began a series of walkouts in January and voted on indefinite strike action in March in a dispute over pay.
Birmingham City Council, which declared bankruptcy in 2023, has come under fire for its management of the crisis, which has seen rubbish pile high in the streets.
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Richard McQuaid, 39, of Kings Heath, said: ‘It would be nice if the council came and collected my bins this early – they need to get their priorities right.
‘While everywhere else is decorated for Halloween the square outside the council house looks more like it’s the middle of December.
‘It’s still more than two months away from Christmas so it feels way too soon.
A massive Christmas tree has been put up in Birmingham city centre in the middle of October
Ongoing bin strikes in Birmingham have seen piles of bin bags left on the streets
‘I’m not sure how festive the people of Birmingham are going to be feeling this year – our bankrupt council won’t collect our bins but they want to throw us a big Christmas party.’
Other locals complained it’s ‘too soon’ to put up a Christmas tree in the middle of October – with Halloween and Bonfire Night not yet out of the way.
Georgina Walsh, 31, of Stechford, said: ‘The Christmas market is becoming more of a divisive issue in Brum – you either love it or hate it.
‘But to be talking about it in October while the leaves are still on the trees just feels wrong – get Halloween and Bonfire Night out of the way first..’
Others took to social media to express their frustration at the situation.
One person wrote: ‘No no no….too soon’, while another commented: ‘You’ve got to be kidding, the kids have just gone back after summer…haven’t they?’
The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is due to open on November 1 and will run until December 24.
The civic tree has been put up outside Birmingham City Council’s offices while market stalls are also being erected for the festive season.
Birmingham City Council was approached for comment.
