It's probably more a case of SDC/Stratford Town Council trying to turn a medieval town - which everyone generally seemed to like - into a 21st century 'Dolly the Sheep' town which no-one will visit because they can go to the same shops in their own town (which is probably cheaper to park in), allowing the councillors to line their pockets as part of the deal.
We can't celebrate Christmas any more because it might offend someone, so the councillors will put the cost of that in their pockets too, and increase the council tax to boot.
