The town of Liscard went viral almost 10 years ago when its Christmas tree was crowned one of the worst in Britain. A sorry sight, the tree that year was cordoned off by metal barriers and had next to no decorations to add some sparkle to the high street.
Locals condemned the tree on social media, describing it as “terrible” and a “poor effort”. Buzzfeed ranked it one of the country’s least appealing Christmas trees.
Four months later the town held a Christmas spectacular complete with fake snow, Father Christmas and fireworks thanks to donations from locals and businesses in the Merseyside town who wanted to create a “feel good factor” for the area.
Janette Williamson, one of two Labour councillors who represent the ward at Wirral Council, said the story of Liscard’s “worst” Christmas tree was a disappointment.
She said: “The year before we had a nice tree, but it got vandalised on a number of occasions. Baubles on the lower branches were ripped off so the next year a fence went round it to stop that happening. It wasn’t a great story. I was more than disappointed the town got defined by its Christmas tree.”
Liscard itself is the second largest town centre outside of Birkenhead, serving around 60,000 people and boasting a number of independent shops.
But like high streets across the country, Liscard’s shops have had to compete with online shopping, the cost of business rates, rent increases and the impact of austerity on Britons’ pockets.
In 2018, then weekend editor of the Liverpool Echo, Rebecca Koncienzcy, penned an op-ed in which she wrote: “Liscard is a town trying, not dying. Trying to feel its way after the recession and, despite the naysayers, it is doing it well.”
That success is set to continue, according to Cllr Williamson, after the town was awarded £10million from the Government levelling up fund to spend on improvements to public areas.
Ms Williamson told Express.co.uk: “Liscard is on the up. We’ve been fighting for [funding] for a decade and it is going to change our fortunes. I don’t want to see Liscard in the papers with a negative headline again.
“There’s a real, beating heart to Liscard and that’s what makes it really special. The future is looking great for Liscard.”
Although the plans haven’t been finalised yet – the levelling up money was only announced in November – initial ideas for the town centre include ways to attract businesses to Liscard and getting empty premises tenanted again.
The aim is for Liscard to see lasting change for the better as a result of the successful funding bid, with voluntary and community organisations poised to join the efforts.
In contrast to the festive season of 2014, Liscard this year has been lit up with lights on lampposts, a Christmas tree at a local shopping centre and festive “switch on” event, thanks to the efforts of a local business grouping.
Ms Williamson, who paid tribute to the army of volunteers who support Liscard, said: “We’ve all got scars on our backs after the ‘worst Christmas tree’ story.
“But this year we marked Christmas with a lights switch on. We had music, a school choir, entertainment and street stalls.
“I think that’s a really good start. It’s a sign of thing to come. Liscard has its own unique offer. Liverpool is just across the water. We have to keep people on Liscard and make it somewhere pleasant and different for them.”
