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FINANCE

Coventry axes annual festival to save cash

Coventry City Council has taken the ‘difficult decision’ not to run its three-day annual music and community festival due to financial reasons after 25 years.

Godiva Festival (Photo credit: Dave Archer)

Godiva Festival (Photo credit: Dave Archer)

Coventry City Council has taken the ‘difficult decision' not to run its three-day annual music and community festival due to financial reasons after 25 years.

The council has been trying to make the Godiva Festival self-funding but last year contributed a £346,000 subsidy, describing the event as a ‘much-loved part of the city's cultural offer'.

The festival, which attracts about 75,000 people, is estimated to cost about £1.2m to run.

Coventry said it recognised the importance of the festival to artists and audiences but had been facing ‘rising costs and industry challenges'.

It plans to carry out a ‘full review' of how the festival could be ‘delivered sustainably' in the future.

Deputy council leader Abdul Salam Khan said: ‘It is important that we carefully review how the festival can be delivered in a sustainable and cost-effective way that is affordable for Coventry's residents.

‘Our programme of exciting free and low-cost city centre events will be taking place for residents to enjoy this summer.'

 

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