Borough council boundaries are playing havoc with Burnt Oak traders' plans for Christmas celebrations.

Burnt Oak Traders' Association (BOTA) is trying to raise money to pay for Christmas lights, run attractions alongside late-night shopping and organise other festive events, along Burnt Oak Broadway and Watling Avenue.

BOTA spokeswoman Pattie Skeats said it was the first time Burnt Oak town centre would have Christmas lights, but accused Brent and Harrow councils of not playing ball.

"We have been working on it for months. It was Barnet's idea, but neither Brent nor Harrow will give in," she said.

Barnet Council has given more than £6,000 for the area of Burnt Oak it controls to the east of Burnt Oak Broadway, but neither Brent nor Harrow felt rich enough to delve into its coffers.

A spokeswoman for Harrow Council, which controls the western side of Burnt Oak Broadway north of the junction with Oakleigh Avenue, said a fund had been set up to help Harrow and Wealdstone traders, but not Burnt Oak.

"We would like to extend this initiative but at the moment, we just haven't got the money or staff resources to extend it to other town centres," she said.

There was a similar story from Brent Council, which controls the southern side. A spokeswoman said: "We just don't have sufficient funds to be able to make a contribution to all areas.

"We have a certain amount of funding available, and we try and spread that as far as possible."

But Miss Skeats added: "Brent and Harrow are just not pulling their weight when it comes to things like providing dustbins or parking controls."

November 28, 2001 19:34

JULIAN HILLS