Festival organisers say it is not financially viable in its present format and are launching a public consultation to consider possible changes, which could include scaling it down or moving the event out of Beverley altogether.

They are inviting the public to a consultation meeting on Thursday May 22 at the Tiger Inn to discuss how the festival - which has brought some of the biggest names in music to Beverley - can develop to ensure its long-term future.

Festival director Chris Wade said the festival brings more than £250,000 into the town's economy each year, but changes will have to be made as its own costs are rising every year and the festival is struggling to break even without charging much higher ticket prices.

The festival is run almost entirely by unpaid volunteers and has made a financial loss in some recent years.

Now its organisers are asking the people of Beverley for their views on the way forward through a questionaire and by inviting them to the consultation meeting.

"We need to look at making it more financially viable and are looking at how we can do that, how we can make it work, whether it be in Beverley or elsewhere," said Ms Wade.

In recent years the festival has lost one of its prime venues, the Picture Playhouse and Ms Wade said the town is limited in other available venues.

This year's festival, which takes place from June 20 to 22, includes some top names, among them legendary punk rockers Buzzcocks, festival favourites Chumbawamba and internationally-acclaimed violinist Tamsin Little.

Costs are rising for artists, hire of venues, accommodation, insurance and equipment hire. Although it has received funding over the years from the Arts Council and local councils and has been supported by some local businesses, the festival has often struggled for financial help.
This week Beverley Town Council policy committee agreed to a £500 grant, but organisers had hoped for £1,000.

Ms Wade feels that the full benefits that the festival has brought to Beverley over the past 25 years have not been recognised.

They are urging local residents, council members and officers and local businesses to go along to the open consultation meeting, which will give everyone a chance to air their views.

"We cannot rule out the possibility of the festival having to move out of Beverley if a more viable solution cannot be found in the town. Approaches have already been made to us by two other places outside of Beverley," said Ms Wade.

"It would be a pity for the festival to leave Beverley, but we feel we are unable to continue as we are at present due to the increasing burdens of finance and other pressures upon us."

The public consultation
meeting will be held on Thursday May 22 at the Tiger Inn in Lairgate at 7.30pm.