Bid to save Godiva Festival launched by Coventry council

[dutchman]

A special report into how the festival can be secured for the future has been ordered by council bosses



The Godiva Festival has moved closer to safety after Coventry City Council ordered a report into how the three-day family festival can be shielded from savage budget cuts.

While no clear guarantees have been made about the future of the festival, or whether it will remain free, the early indications are that it will survive.

That’s despite associated costs of £300,000 while the council wrestles with an estimated £130million cut to its annual grant from central government by 2020 compared to 2010. However the event is estimated to contribute almost £2m to the local economy.

News of the report into the festival’s future came as Labour Coun Abdul Khan, deputy council leader, made a speech underlining the value of the event to Coventry and its importance to the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021.

Coun Khan said: “The Godiva Festival showcases much that is great in this city. Our people, our talent, our creativity and our community.

“The event has grown in each of the last three years, successfully breaking attendance records enhancing the city’s reputation for hosting great events and providing a significant benefit to the local economy. For these reasons, Coventry should be proud of the festival.

“With all that in mind, I am going to ask council officers to bring forward a report to cabinet as a matter of priority and make the recommendations of the necessary steps to secure the future of the festival.

“I think it a priority for us to secure the future of this popular, successful family event which for many people has become their favourite weekend in the city’s cultural life.”

The drive to save the Godiva Festival also received cross party support with the Tory opposition backing attempts to retain the festival.

Coun Gary Crookes, deputy leader of the Conservatives , said: “We wish the Godiva Festival a long and healthy life and we hope it continues and grows.”

This year saw a record 148,000 people flock to War Memorial Park to see headline acts The Boomtown Rats, The Charlatans and Scouting for Girls and the event has become closely tied into the city’s bid to be named UK Capital of Culture in 2021.

Debates over the future of the festival appear to be an almost annual event in recent times as the council weighs up the benefits of hosting it with the costs. But any attempt to shut down the city’s biggest cultural event would also likely kill off Coventry’s hopes of taking the UK City Of Culture crown in 2021.

Options previously explored over the future of the festival include scrapping it completely, hosting it every other year, charging for entry and securing corporate sponsorship.

[dutchman]

Godiva Festival is back and it's still FREE Coventry City Council confirms



The Godiva Festival has beaten the council’s budget cuts to return again this year - and it is still FREE!

The future of the massive family festival at the War Memorial Park has been in doubt in recent years as Coventry City Council grapples with government funding cuts of tens of millions of pounds a year.

Councillor Abdul Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Events, confirmed the event will remain in the city’s War Memorial Park in the 19th year of it’s history as the city this year bids to become UK City of Culture in 2021.

He said: “It’s fantastic to be able to once again say that the Godiva Festival is going ahead this year.

“We’ve always been proud of Godiva Festival as it remains the biggest free family music festival in the UK and brings massive profile to Coventry as a city, especially in our bid to be named UK City of Culture 2021, not to mention the very substantial economic impact and all the other benefits it brings.

”However, we do need to reinforce the message that continuing to secure the quality and scale of Festival we all enjoy will require additional financial support.

“Whether it’s new sponsors, additional income generation or partners’ support, we are open to discussions on how the wider community can ensure we can keep the festival going forward.”

The council and event organisers have begun scheduling bands and planning the weekend and hope it will beat last year’s 148,000 visitors.

[rebbonk]

Meanwhile libraries close and care for the elderly and disabled is cut back. - Disgraceful!

Vanity of our inept and corrupt councillors.

[dutchman]

However the event is estimated to contribute almost £2m to the local economy.

I'm very dubious about that?

[rebbonk]

Figures like this are often bandied about, bit I have yet to see proof that they are remotely accurate.

IMO, it would be reasonable to charge adults £5.00/head entrance, that would still be superb value, and it would go a long way to covering the costs.