The organisers of Coleford Music Festival 2009, have been planning since September 2008 for an event in 2009.
This free community festival is in jeopardy due to proposed policing charges.
Gloucestershire police authority are adopting a new policy based on ACPO guidelines for special policing at events. This policy will come into effect from the beginning of April 2009, and will affect all events and festivals across the county. There is a matrix in place that each event is assessed by. Currently our free community event that is organised by volunteers on a not for profit basis, has been told to expect charges of £17,000 plus VAT .
The total cost to put on this festival has been between £40,000 – £45,000, a large figure for volunteers to raise, especially in this current climate. To add an extra £17,000 to the budget makes the festival financially unviable.
The feedback that the organisers have had for holding an event in 2009 from the general public, and town centre traders has been extremely positive. The financial gain for business and tourism in and around Coleford is considerable. Many business and traders count on this event to boost their profits for the year.
The organisers are currently awaiting re assessment of these charges, however, it has been indicated that they will not decrease.
At present it is full steam ahead for the festival in some shape or form, however, we will up date this blog as the situation unfolds.
Vicki Thornton
Chair
