Ho, ho, no! Shugborough Estate cancels Christmas festivities

The Staffordshire County Council-run site closes every year in October and reopens its doors for a series of events during the festive period.

But when The National Trust takes over the running of the historic estate, near Stafford, in two months' time it will remain shut this season until March.

In 2015 the estate's festive season ran from November 27, with attractions including a Christmas fair and Santa at the Servants' Quarters from December 5 to 22.

But this year the site will shut on September 30 and remain closed to the public until next year for 'work to be carried out'.

Trust bosses have pledged to pump some £20.5 million into the site and open it 364 days a year when it takes over the reigns.

Work due to take place includes landscaping, tree management and removing fencing.

Matt Critchley, a spokesman for the trust, said: "When Staffordshire County Council surrenders the Shugborough Estate back to the National Trust at the end of October, it will close for work to be carried out, so there won't be any festive opening this year.

"However, once the estate reopens in March 2017 it will be open all year, closing only on Christmas Day and will offer year-round activities, including at Christmas, just as at many other special places the trust looks after."

Cannock Chase councillor Gordon Alcott said: "It is not going to help Cannock Chase's tourism at all.

"Of course I would like to see it open over Christmas. I'm on the Staffordshire tourism board and that has been one of the highlights for years.

"They have had some wonderful events over the past festive periods."

The council, which has run the estate since 1966 on behalf of the trust, said earlier this year that 'the time was right' to relinquish its 99-year lease to focus its dwindling budgets on other services.

But concerns have been raised over the transfer, with dozens set to lose their jobs.

The council's economy, environment and transport chief Councillor Mark Winnington, said: "It has become increasingly difficult for the county council to invest in the visitor offer at Shugborough Estate.

"The majority of the budget has gone on maintenance and repairs. For every pound of taxpayers' money in Staffordshire we have got to look very carefully at where that money is spent. That money is better spent on the vulnerable people of Staffordshire."