Shoppers have threatened to boycott a Morrisons supermarket in Greater Manchester after it removed its Christmas decorations, in a move that left customers furious and sparked a debate about festive celebrations in modern Britain.
Decisions Taken Down After Complaints
The controversy erupted at the Morrisons Atlas Mills store in Bolton. The Christmas decorations, which were displayed around the checkout area, were taken down last Saturday, December 14th, 2024. Initial reports suggested the removal came after the store received complaints that the festive displays were 'offensive' to some.
The decision provoked an immediate and angry backlash from many local customers. Shoppers took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to voice their outrage and threaten a boycott of the store.
Customer Outrage and Social Media Reaction
One incensed shopper posted online questioning the logic behind the removal, asking: "Why do people think Christmas decorations will upset anyone?" Another comment highlighted national pride, stating: "I thought Morrisons was a British store."
The sentiment was echoed by others who felt the action undermined traditional celebrations. "This boils my blood. It's Britain, we celebrate Christmas," wrote one user. Another declared they would take their business elsewhere, saying: "Won't be shopping at Morrisons or any supermarket that doesn't support Christmas."
Amid the furore, local councillor Susan Priest offered a measured perspective. She acknowledged Bolton's diverse community, saying: "Bolton is a multi-faith place. We celebrate it all. I want to see seasonal decorations going up for all of the different celebrations throughout the year, including Christmas." She suggested the incident may have been "blown out of proportion."
Supermarket's U-Turn and Official Statement
Facing significant public pressure, Morrisons swiftly reversed its decision. The supermarket giant blamed the initial removal on a 'miscommunication' and confirmed the decorations had been reinstated.
In an official statement, a Morrisons spokesperson said: "We have Christmas decorations up at our Atlas Mill store to help make our customers and colleagues feel festive at this special time of year. Following a miscommunication some were removed, however they have been reinstated and the store and our colleagues are excited to continue to help our customers celebrate Christmas."
The retailer, which competes with rivals like Aldi, Lidl, Tesco and Sainsbury's, operates hundreds of stores across the UK, including throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands.
