THE Town Hall have been labelled Christmas grinches after cancelling festive lights across the borough.

Islington is looking to save £150,000 by axing the decorations, but a dark December has sparked anger among disappointed organisers.

Councillors from across the political divide were said to be furious with the decision, which has been blamed on an “unaccountable manager” working for the council.

One Labour councillor, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “It seems the budget this year was cut by managers without telling councillors. When we found out, it was too late. The contract had been terminated and the lights we usually hire were re-allocated to other places.

“An emergency package was offered by suppliers but, being fairly short notice, they were offered at wildly inflated prices.”

In an interview with the Tribune in January the then finance chief, Councillor Diarmaid Ward, had assured residents that “there are going to be Christmas lights, but we just have to do it in the most efficient way possible”.

Eleven months later, however, critics have argued that completely axing the lights in several locations goes much further than simply “scaling back” on the festivities.

Neighbours in Highbury, Whitecross Street, Caledonian Road, Nag’s Head, and Blackstock Road are among those who will not have the Christmas lights they are accustomed to.

Terry Stacy, the former Liberal Democrat council leader who has organised the lights in Highbury for more than a decade, said: “This would have been the 15th year if the council hadn’t axed them. They never officially told us they were going to axe the funding, but when we tried to engage with the council saying we would fundraise ourselves, there was just no response. It was baffling.”

Pippa Robinson, who leads the St Joan of Arc choir which has sung at the lights switch-on since it started, said: “We were really disappointed be­cause it’s become a local tradition. People love the lights, and it’s part of Christmas.

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a large amount of money, and it’s sad to think the council has detached itself from the community.”

Mr Stacy said he and the three Green Party councillors in Highbury had asked how much money they would need to put on the event themselves, whether it would be possible to close the road, and how they could hang them up ­– but said they were met with no response.

More than 300 people typically attend the switch-on, Mr Stacy said, which has seen celebrities including pop star Suggs from Madness and Only Fools and Horses’ star Gwyneth Strong press the button in past years.

“We won’t let them cancel Christmas in Highbury, but it’s unbelievably disappointing,” said Mr Stacy.

“The grinches have taken over the Town Hall.”

Meanwhile, independent councillor Phil Graham said he was “very disappointed” that lights did not go up in Whitecross Street in his ward. A slimmed-down event saw only a tree lit up.

He added: “We were proud to put on what was managed, but it’s a shame that these are the first things to get cut when the government doesn’t properly fund local councils. The first things to go are things for the residents.”

Lights in Blackstock Road and Nag’s Head are also among those that will not go ahead this year ­– although Christmas illuminations funded by businesses are up in some areas, like at the Angel Central shopping centre.

Labour councillor Gary Heather, who represents Finsbury Park, said: “I’m very sad that the Christmas lights are not there because they brighten up the whole place.”

Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford, the Town Hall’s culture chief, said: “Like many organisations, the council is facing significant financial pressures due to rising costs and inflation, so we’ve had to prioritise budgets to protect essential services for residents and businesses. We remain firmly committed to supporting our high streets and local businesses. This winter, we’ve delivered alternative festive arrangements including Christmas trees and family-friendly events across the borough to help drive footfall and support trade during this crucial period.”