A contingency plan is to be drawn up for a possible alternative location for the popular Relaxed Christmas celebration in the borough in the event the existing venue in Bleary is not available.
But one thing is certain: It must – and will – go ahead!
The Relaxed Christmas is staged annually and caters for young people with special needs.
Its popularity grows year on year and it is currently held in the Bleary Business and Community Hub.
But plans to develop a new digital hub there might – and it is just a ‘might’ at this time – force it to move elsewhere.
The Relaxed Christmas has proven so popular that in 2024, it was extended to “double the capacity” and run over 12 days.
In all, 314 of the available 320 family slots were booked, making it a near sell-out!
A report to ABC Council’s economic development and regeneration committee said the event “continues to provide significant social value, particularly for families requiring a calmer festive environment”.
Ulster Unionist Councillor Julie Flaherty was fulsome in her praise – describing it as “spectacular” – and thanked directors, officers and all involved in 2025’s success.
She said: “The feedback that I got personally from families who attended it was just heartwarming. We had some children and families and it genuinely was their first suitable Christmas event and there’s an uncertainty with some of these children. They were so well cared for in Bleary, so well cared for by the staff. The experience was just amazing.”
And Councillor Flaherty added: “It is worth saying and worth praising the staff. This event is delivered for a relatively small budget of £22,000. That budget has stayed the same for the last number of years, despite the fact that they have increased the number of days that we provide this.
“They’ve increased the number of slots, and indeed, outlines are that 314 people went through the door, so that really needs highly commended.
“As I say, every year, we need to drop more money, so find some somewhere, because it can be found for other things in this council, as we’re discovering, so I don’t see why we can’t squeeze a wee bit more out of the pot for this particular event.”
It was Councillor Kyle Savage who had first flagged the digi-hub plans for Bleary and questioned what the alternative was if the current venue was ruled “out of bounds”.
And Councillor Flaherty seized on concerns and sought assurances it would proceed.
“I know we’re dealing with timelines and with other issues,” she said. “But should it not be available, I know you’ve outlined that you’re looking at other options and I would like those to be as clear as we can be.
“I don’t want to be getting to September and October, and us having a panic attack about where we’re going to put this event, because this is a standout event in the calendar, which must take place. Absolutely vital.”
Development and community and wellbeing director Paul Tamati was quick to ease any fears that it would not go ahead if Bleary was unavailable.
“We probably plan to bring a report closer to the time in terms of whether the Bleary Community and Business Centre will or won’t be used,” he said. “It’s not definite that it won’t be yet. It depends how much we progress the digi-hub project during that period of time.
“We’re looking at potential alternatives should that be in place. If there is a possibility that we can continue to keep it at Bleary I think, given the feedback we’ve had, we probably will try to do that and manage the project accordingly.
“If that can’t be the case, we’ll bring a contingency to members for approval.”
Acknowledging that the timescale had “doubled” in terms of hours – increasing the “number of opportunities there are for families to come” – Mr Tamati indicated everything would be done to ensure Christmas brought the best possible experience for all.
“When we did double it at that time, we looked at the budget as well,” he explained. “We have absorbed some of the costs associated with delivering Christmas. We know how it is important to members. We’ve made sure our estimates this year have taken that into consideration as part of that process.
“And we will leave no stone unturned at Christmas, certainly for the Relaxed Christmas.”
