"Scrooge" politician who slammed Coca-Cola truck backs 'green cola truck' rival instead

Holidays are coming...just a bit earlier than Coca-Cola want them to

A “scrooge” politician who called for the Coca-Cola truck to be banned from Liverpool has urged the public to back a rival brand’s festive vehicle - which will arrive in the city BEFORE the red famous lorry.

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Richard Kemp sparked an angry reaction when he said the annual visit of the Coca-Cola Christmas truck to Liverpool One next Tuesday and Wednesday should be cancelled - describing it as a “cynical event” that promotes an unhealthy lifestyle for children.

And now he and his party colleagues are urging people to instead turn out for the visit of a vehicle promoting a rival “healthier” cola brand in Liverpool - which will take place a day before the Coca-cola truck’s arrival.

Samples of new product Green Cola will be handed out in central Liverpool on Monday morning via “one of the world’s longest bicycle trailers, festooned with Christmas lights.”

UK firm Green Room Brands described its product as a “healthier alternative” to sugary soft drinks which it says contains no sugar, preservatives or aspartame - instead using the natural sweetener Stevia.

Cllr Kemp said he is “delighted” that Green Cola will be visiting Liverpool, adding: “Their visit promotes a product that is much healthier than their rivals. They are also a small UK company whose profits are recycled in this country.”

He added: “A council’s role in public health is not to ban products or to wag fingers, but we need to encourage healthier lifestyles and better eating and drinking habits. We do our best to draw attention to better ways and new products like Green Cola.”

Mirna Juarez, Liberal Democrat for Allerton and Hunts Cross who will be hosting Green Cola during their visit, added: “I am really happy that Green Cola, a healthier alternative, is coming to Liverpool. We have high obesity levels among adults and children here and I believe sugary drinks are part of the problem.”

Paul Woodward, CEO of Green Room Brands added: “There is nothing else on the market like Green Cola and we hope that the people of Liverpool will choose us as their preferred cola.”

Coca-Cola has confirmed that its illuminated heavy loader will arrive at Liverpool One next week, despite the criticism from the Lib Dems.

Responding, a spokesman said: “The Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour provides a moment of fun for everyone in the build-up to Christmas and we’ve had a positive response from many people in Liverpool when we visit each year.

“The tour is now in its seventh year and each year we receive hundreds of requests to visit, something that we take into account when creating a route which has a good geographical spread.

“People will have the opportunity to see the truck up close, have their photograph taken and enjoy a choice of a small 150ml can of Coca-Cola Classic or one of our zero sugar options Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.”