Birmingham Christmas parade axed as budget reined in
Birmingham's annual Christmas Parade has been scrapped this year because of city council budget cuts.
The colourful procession of festive floats traditionally celebrates the switch-on of the Christmas lights and is a popular highlight of the city's calender.
The city council says it costs £50,000 to stage the event and it could only continue to be held if sponsorship was found.
Despite efforts, no sponsors could be secured to ensure the event could o go-ahead this year, but bosses said they would continue to look for potential backers so the parade could return in the future.
This year the switch-on of the festive lights will take place at the opening for Birmingham's German Christmas Market on November 12.
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: "Widely reported budget cuts mean the Christmas Parade will not take place this year and subsidies to other events, many of which are led by groups within the community, have been withdrawn.
"The Christmas Parade costs around £50,000 to stage each year and can only continue if sponsorship can be found. We made efforts to attract sponsors for this year's event and will continue to do so for next year."
It comes as the city council works to make savings of more than £105 million.
