Like many others planning events for this summer, our friends over at Ventnor Fringe Festival have had a heavy weight on their shoulders for the past few months, but say they hope to return next month.
After having to postpone the 2020 Ventnor Fringe Festival due to Covid-19 pandemic, Monday’s delay in Boris Johnson’s Road Map by four weeks has caused a huge amount of stress for the team.
Laying out enormous costs
It’s very hard to plan a festival (without insurance) when you need to start laying our thousands of pounds to book marquees, seating, toilets, and other infrastructure that is all necessary to run the high quality event that Fringe-goers have become accustomed to.
Womad’s Peter Gabriel spoke on BBC Radio 4 this morning (7.30am) about the need for the Government to support festivals and how they could even make money by insuring festivals this summer.
“Working hard to ensure that Ventnor Fringe will return this year”
After a few days processing the latest announcement from Boris Johnsion, the Fringe HQ issued this announcement yesterday (Wednesday),
“Like everyone we’ve been eagerly awaiting the Government’s latest announcement and while the decision to delay the lifting of final restrictions is disappointing, we’re working hard to ensure that Ventnor Fringe will return this year.
“Thank you to everyone for all of your patience and support in these challenging times, we’re going to do everything we can to deliver a safe, inclusive event next month.”
Give them space
If you see the Fringe folks around town or at the Ventnor Exchange, do them a favour and don’t ask what’s happening.
They’ll be putting out more information in the next few days which we will share with you.
See the Ventnor Fringe Festival Website for updates.
Image: © Hugo Bilton
