In 1998, Michael Chubb’s team at Birmingham city council came up with ‘Winterval’ – and the backlash is still being felt today
www.theguardian.com
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That particular "story too good to check" about TWOT wouldn't have legs nowadays, because of social media, I think. I remember at the time arguing with people about it, and trying to tell them that I didn't care what they'd read in The Sun or The Mail, because I frequently had to travel to Birmingham on business, and could see with my own eyes that, no matter what anyone said, there were Christmas decorations and a Christmas Market in the main square, and Santa and everything, same as always.
Now, it would simply be debunked by the City Council and everyone else on Twitter.