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Festival gains




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In these continuing times of austerity, every penny counts, not only for householders but also for councils and businesses. With a budget of £70,000 in place it no doubt came as a shock to Newark Town Council, as organisers of this year’s Newark Festival, that there was an extra cost looming that they hadn’t accounted for.

That cost is to cover the charge of staging the festival’s headline event, a concert by Madness on Saturday, June 15, at the Riverside Park, which is run by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Because the district council views the concert as a commercial venture, it wants 5% of ticket sales, which could amount to a sum in the region of £14,000 if the event sells out.

This money was not budgeted for as the town council hoped that the venue hire charge would be waived, as was the case last year.

The district council, however, has said that was for one year only to help the festival become a regular event.

It’s easy to see both sides of the situation as councils struggle to enhance all revenue streams and balance budgets, but it’s a shame a row has erupted because to have such a high-profile band coming to Newark is a real plus for the town in terms of tourism.

Many outlets in and around the town centre should benefit from money being spent by the thousands of people expected to come from near and far for the festival weekend, which runs from June 14 to 16.

Let’s hope all the hard work behind the scenes to try to make this event a success pays off, and the festival, and concert in particular, turn out to be memorable occasions of which all involved can be justifiably proud.



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