Santa Claus returning to city

Christchurch’s Christmas Parade is likely to return to the city centre this year, but the popular event needs more money to go ahead.

The earthquakes forced the parade from the central city and the event has been held on Riccarton Rd since.

The Christchurch Children’s Christmas Parade Trust had always intended to return to the city and was now planning on holding this year’s event on Madras St from St Asaph to Kilmore St. The trust was waiting on Christchurch City Council to approve the new route. ‘‘Riccarton Rd has served its purpose since the earthquakes, but with the ongoing roadworks, uneven surfaces, narrow footpaths, health and safety concerns and poor transport services from the city, it’s time to move back,’’ the trust said in its submission on the council’s long-term plan.

Last year’s event was plagued with funding problems, after the council reduced its funding for it. After a plea from the trust the council upped its $65,000 grant to $100,000 for the 2017 parade and the trust was able to secure a three-year sponsorship deal with MultiMedia Communications.

But the council has once again committed $65,000 to the parade and the trust has asked the council for another $35,000 to keep the event going.

The parade, which has been running for 72 years, costs about $121,500 to run. Its biggest expense is

$81,391 to rent the building where it stores 40 floats and

1000 costumes. Other costs included insurance and traffic management.

The trust was facing increases in traffic management costs and a possible rent increase, which was being negotiated.

At the council’s plan submissions hearing yesterday, parade manager Pam Morris said the council had historically covered the traffic management cost, but that stopped about four years ago.