Residents' anger as council leaves seaside town with 'Poundland' Christmas tree

30 November 2023 , 10:38

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The Christmas tree in Deal is expected to be replaced with a better alternative (Image: KMG / SWNS)

Residents of a seaside town say they have been left with a 'Poundland' Christmas tree after the wrong one was delivered to the council.

The tiny festive tree was put up at the entrance to the pier in Deal on Sunday by Dover District Council (DDC) but has been mocked by locals. Now, the council admitted that the one they put up was not the one they had ordered.

Peter Marsh, who has lived in Deal for 13 years, joked: "You can get bigger ones in Poundland. It's underwhelming. It's almost as tall as the pampas grass but not quite as big. I would have expected a better one. If you're going to do it, do it properly."

The tree sits at the entrance to the town's pier (KMG / SWNS)

However, he said he is pleased that the council "isn't spending too much money". Another resident, Jill Breen, agreed that the tree could be bigger, adding: "It's not the best I've ever seen but at least it's not leaning to one side as I thought it might be. It's not too bad though. I think it should have a star. I think maybe at night it would look lovely."

Visitor Jose Arufe-Barker, 26, found the tree to be an "odd shape" and said: "I think it's underwhelming,". Georgia Fry, 24, was part of the group visiting from London and said she feels that the city "hasn't really celebrated Christmas" as it should. She suggested: "I think it needs some more decorations, maybe some red and gold."

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Deal residents Peter Marsh and Jill Breen will be happy to see a bigger tree added (KMG / SWNS)

Grace Gabrielli had a different view, saying: "I think maybe we don't need to spend a lot of money on a tree. There's a cost-of-living crisis. Maybe there are other things money needs to go into. I think with the lights on it would be fine."

Visiting from Faversham, Vanessa Hood, 67, thinks "a lot of people like to moan". She said: "It's got lights so once they are on in the evening it would be nice. It's a nice gesture by the council to put a tree up in the first place it makes people feel better. I think a lot of people like to moan."

Brian Hurst, 74, also supported the tree, saying: "It's the first time I've been to Deal and walking through the pier I saw it and I think it's very good. I think they've made a lot of effort to do that and the criticism is unwarranted."

Jose Arufe-Barker, Georgia Fry, Estelle Bolon and Grace Gabrielli by the tree in Deal (KMG / SWNS)

However, resident Paul Dawkins complained to DDC about "the small-scale seasonal pine". He said: "It's a contender for Kent's worst Christmas tree."

DDC leader Cllr Kevin Mills insists a more impressive version is set to be installed "as a matter of urgency". The Labour councillor said: "I find it unacceptable that this has happened and it makes the council department that dealt with it look bad. The tree wasn't the one that was ordered and the company that supplied it will be replacing it with the correct one as a matter of urgency.

"I have insisted this has to be done as soon as possible." This is not the first time a Christmas tree in Kent has been criticised. Back in 2012, Herne Bay's tree was called the worst in the UK. Even when it was replaced, the new tree was labelled as the "ugly twin" of the previous one.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Millie Bowles