We hate our town’s embarrassing Christmas tree – it’s got no tinsel, baubles or lights… it makes our area look bad
RED-FACED residents have slammed their town’s “embarrassing” attempt at a Christmas tree – as they say its bare branches make the area look bad.
Locals in Coalville, Leicestershire, are furious that their festive display hasn’t been decorated with tinsel, baubles or lights.
The naked tree sat outside Belvoir Shopping Centre has been attracting attention for all the wrong reasons after its installation.
It was installed late last month by the precinct’s owners, property investment group Gylo, but was lacking some Christmas sparkle.
Shoppers initially presumed decorations would be added over the next few days – but the tree is still starkers just over a week before the Big Day.
The “pathetic” attempt at the Christmas tree has infuriated locals, who say it makes residents in the town of Coalville look like scrooges.
The only hint of holiday spirit comes from the chubby Father Christmas statue standing on guard alongside the shrub.
Residents were further angered to find out another tree put up by North West Leicestershire District Council near Coalville’s Clock Tower is adorned with trinkets and streams of lights.
They took to social media to vent their frustrations online, with some dubbing the dire lack of decorations “embarrassing.”
Hundreds commented on a picture of the tree posted by one shopper who wanted to share the news that the town centre had a “bauble-less Christmas tree.”
One wrote: “It’s embarrassing!”
Another fumed: “Pathetic isn’t it!”
And a third said: “It’s sad. It’s a lovely shaped tree.”
The outrage prompted some members of the public to add on a few decorations to the pitiful tree in an attempt to spruce it up – but it still remains largely bare.
Other residents offered up an explanation for the lack of baubles, tinsel and lights, claiming it would have been stripped by vandals.
One said: “Trouble now is, the centre is open 24/7 so I’d doubt it would stay decorated for long.
Another chimed in: “If they put nice things on it somebody’s will come along and spoil as usual.”
A third added: “The fact that it can’t be decorated because people will nick the baubles speaks volumes.”
And a fourth scoffed: “What’s the point? They will be stolen in five minutes.”
The official reason for the undecorated tree currently remains a mystery.
Many of those online considered the reasons behind this, with several pointing to the open nature of the shopping centre since Gylo’s acquisition and redevelopment of the area.