A popular music festival has cancelled its 2024 event citing "numerous delays" from the local council.
Splendour Festival, which takes place in Wollaton Park in Nottingham, has pulled the plug on its 2024 event.
The festival organisers have released a statement saying that a festival tender process introduced by the Labour-run Nottingham City Council has encountered numerous delays from the council’s side.
The local authority came under fire last year after the chief finance officer declared that the council is unable to deliver a balanced budget, effectively declaring bankruptcy.
Fans at the 2017 festival in Nottingham
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A spokesperson from the festival said: "We are disappointed to have to announce that Splendour Festival will be taking a break in 2024. Last May, Nottingham City Council initiated a festival tender process for Wollaton Park, which regrettably has encountered numerous delays from the council’s side.
"Delivering a high-profile event like Splendour requires more than a year’s worth of planning, and these delays mean we have not been left with enough time to put on the festival.
"We know many of you will be sad to hear this news, but rest assured, we are working hard to bring Splendour back to Nottingham in 2025. Stay in touch and we’ll see you soon!"
The festival started in 2008 and has been held in July every year. Last year's festival was headlined by Madness and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds with performances from Rudimental, The Kooks, Sam Ryder and Sugababes.
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The festival was held every July since 2008
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A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: "Since its inception in 2008, the festival has grown to become one of the best-loved in the country. We, therefore, completely understand why people will be disappointed that it won’t take place in 2024.
"We said last year that under the council’s new commercial strategy, the event fell into a category where a formal tender process was needed.
"This was to protect the authority legally, financially and to ensure the festival was achieving best value for the council and the residents of Nottingham.
"The procurement process is complex and has taken longer than we would have liked – this has made the viability of delivering a festival in 2024 very difficult. However, we remain optimistic that we will be able to secure an event for future years and hope to announce plans regarding this in the coming months."
Ricky Wilson from Kaiser Chiefs performing at the 2017 festival
PA
People reacted with shock and sadness on social media.
Nottingham based presenter Al Booth said: "One of the highlights of my working year is being at Splendour. More than that, it's just great for the city and for people to come together. I know how excited [the festival's organisers] are to organise it every year. Gutted for everyone on this."
Another user added: "What a shame. Despite the awful weather last years festival was brilliant."
Another said: "NOOOOO! Last year was the best one yet and my kids were so excited to go to another one!"