There will be a number of changes to the availability of council services and facilities this Christmas.

Closure of public buildings

Lancaster and Morecambe town halls and the council’s housing office on Cable Street, Lancaster will close for Christmas at 3pm on Christmas Eve and re-open at 9am on Tuesday December 29. On New Year’s Eve, these buildings will close to members of the public at 3pm and re-open at 9am on Monday, January 4.

Christmas refuse and recycling collections

Don’t forget to check your collections calendar as there will be changes over the Christmas period to your normal waste and recycling collection days.  The changes come into force on Saturday December 19 and finish on Saturday January 2.

Normal Collection Day               Revised Collection Day

Monday 21 December                Saturday 19 December

Tuesday 22 December                Monday 21 December

Wednesday 23 December           Tuesday 22 December

Thursday 24 December               Wednesday 23 December

Friday 25 December                   Thursday 24 December

Monday 28 December                 Monday 28 December

Tuesday 29 December                Tuesday 29 December

Wednesday 30 December           Wednesday 30 December

Thursday 31 December               Thursday 31 December

Friday 1 January                           Saturday 2 January

If you have misplaced your collection calendar please visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/bins

To help you reduce the mountain of waste generated by Christmas festivities, below are a few simple tips to help you manage your additional waste including glass, cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, Christmas cards and wrapping paper, and not forgetting your food waste.

• Shop smart. Be aware of over packaged goods and recycle what you can.

• Plan your meals, make the most of your freezer and find leftover recipes at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com 

• Recycle all your glass bottles/jars, cans, foil, sweet/biscuit tins, plastic bottles, paper and cardboard (including gift wrap and Christmas cards) in your green recycling boxes

• Any unavoidable food waste can be placed in your green wheeled bin or kerbside caddy for composting.

• St Johns Hospice will be collecting real Christmas trees for a small donation to the Hospice please phone 01524 382538 or book online www.sjhospice.org.uk/recycletrees

• Real Christmas trees can otherwise be chopped up and placed in your green wheeled bin.

Markets

Charter Market, Lancaster

There will be slight changes to the opening times of Lancaster City Council’s Charter Market during the festive period.

As the Charter Market’s normal Saturday opening day will fall on Boxing Day, when the market will be closed, an extra market has been arranged for last minute Christmas shoppers on Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24).

Assembly Rooms Emporium, Lancaster

The Assembly Rooms Emporium on King Street, Lancaster will be open for business as usual – Tuesday – Saturday but closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Saturday, January 2.  Anyone on the look-out for a fancy dress costume with a difference this Christmas will find a wide range of authentic vintage and period costumes and accessories for hire as well as a range of gifts including ornaments, pictures, books, jigsaws and alternative clothing.

Opening times are Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4.30pm and Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm (except Bank Holidays).

Festival Market

The Festival Market will be open every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (9am to 4.30pm) in the lead up to Christmas but closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

For information on the opening times of the council’s sport and leisure facilities including Williamson Park and Salt Ayre Sports Centre, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/christmas-opening