Cleric’s warning as store kicks off Christmas

A SENIOR cleric has sounded a note of caution after a department store unveiled a Christmas display.

Debenhams presented a festive range for shoppers at Londonderry’s Foyleside Centre last week.

But Dean of St Columb’s Cathedral in the city, the Rev Dr William Morton, said: “What we need here is a sense of balance.

“I am not against people or traders planning for Christmas.

“But, what is not good is the dreadful commercialisation which is against the true message of Christmas.”

Dean Morton also stated that the Christmas rush becomes so intense that it places people in a “terrible position”.

“This will particularly apply this year with the recession or credit crunch, whatever you choose to call it,” he said.

On a spiritual level, Dean Morton said it was becoming increasingly difficult each year to get the true message of Christmas across to a wider number of people.

“Thankfully there are still a lot of people out there who know the real meaning of Christmas.

“But people are almost wishing their lives away and it means they are missing the importance of everyday opportunities and challenges.”

Dean Morton also said over-commercialisation places children under severe peer pressure in terms of comparing what they receive with what other children are given.

City Centre Intiative (CCI) manager Sean Trainor said that having worked in the retail sector he understands the need for businesses to prepare early.

“Christmas certainly does come early every year within the retail sector. That sector depends heavily on revenue gathered at that period.

“It is certainly true that if you don’t have a good Christmas you don’t have a good year.”

Mr Trainor said that up to a third of the retail sector’s money is gathered at the festive period and as such most businesses would have their plans in place by the end of August, although he said that displays at this time “did appear to be a little early”.

“This, however, is not exclusive to Debenhams,” he said.

“From a commercial point of view, most multi-nationals want to have their brand associated with Christmas.”

A spokeswoman for Debenhams said: “We begin to install our Christmas departments at this time every year. This is in response to customer demand for availability at this time.

“By doing this, we allow our customers to spread the cost of their Christmas shopping over a number of months which is especially important in the current climate.”