Fears for future of Portsmouth’s beer festival as event postponed
HAPPIER TIMES Shep Woolley at last years beer festival
THE FUTURE of Portsmouth’s annual beer festival is under threat after this year’s event was postponed for being a financial risk.
Portsmouth Cultural Trust, which took over the running of the city’s Guildhall on April 1, has decided to axe this year’s real ale celebration, which was due to take place in mid-August.
But organiser Shep Woolley fears this could lead to the event going the same way as the Southsea Show, which was cancelled in 2006.
The trust had said it would honour any bookings made at the venue before it took over.
But in an email to Mr Woolley, Claire Looney, the culture transition project manager, said: ‘Clearly the beer festival is organised in a very different way from all the other events and activities in the building.
‘We have decided that instead of rushing to get everything in place for an event in 2011 we would like postpone this year to work on something – potentially larger – for 2012.
‘I do understand that there is a risk in losing momentum with the beer audience but feel that this will allow us time to explore all options fully.’
However Mr Woolley feels that if the festival is cancelled this year it will prove catastrophic.
He said: ‘When I first heard that a cultural trust was taking over the Guildhall I was concerned that the beer festival would go the way of the Southsea Show, but I was told it would keep all the events on.
‘There are people who rely on that weekend. We have a lot of suppliers and organisations involved. I’ve had to tell them at short notice now that they’re not wanted, which hasn’t gone down well.
‘It’s something that people have had in their calendars as a regular fixture, and if we break that chain, they’re going to go elsewhere. It’s very sad. Very disappointing.’
Up to 3,000 real ale fans come to the event, which has been running for more than 30 years. And although its profits dropped from £8,000 in 2009 to £3,800 last year, it also helps raise thousands for various local charities.
‘Altogether we’ve raised about £20,000 in the last seven years for various causes and we’ve never had any trouble,’ said Mr Woolley.
‘We’ve turned Portsmouth beer festival into a nationally-recognised event. People come from all over for it.’
Council leader Gerald Vernon Jackson, who is also on the board of trustees, said: ‘I will work with the beer festival organisers and the Guildhall trust to try to make the festival happen. If there is a worry about financial certainty, then maybe we can do something to help.’
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Comments
There are 11 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
JohnAbbott
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 03:41 PMVery disappointed. It's always the same; some "cultural" bod comes along and wants to stop the traditional and replace it with airy-fairy items that won't attract anyone. The Pompey Beerfestival is one of the best in the south and if it's lost it won't return. Shep rescued it from the grave when CAMRA found it was too much of a financial risk for them. If Shep and CAMRA can't make it happen then it's doomed. It's also rather stupid of the Cultural Trust to scrap this years event in order to have a bigger event in 2012. If there's no event this year, people and the bands will go elsewhere and not come back.
stapled
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 11:30 AMSince 1978 this has been an annual event starting with my hubby attending, then me, then our siblings and now our children and their friends and some even travel from Spain to attend..... But then, what would the Portsmouth Cultural Trust care about that? Another power & control crazy waste of space Committee probably costing the council millions and depriving the people of Portsmouth of events previously enjoyed by many whilst raising money for needy causes...what could possibly be wrong with that?? Shep Wooley is a marvellous man who has had an enormous slap in the face but should be very proud of what he has done for the Portsmouth Beer Festival over the past years and if he can find another venue - Shep! We will be there with bells on! Thanks very much for your past efforts!
stapled
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 09:28 AMSince 1978 this has been an annual event starting with my hubby attending, then me, then our siblings and now our children and their friends and some even travel from Spain to attend..... But then, what would the Portsmouth Cultural Trust care about that? Another power & control crazy waste of space Committee probably costing the council millions and depriving the people of Portsmouth of events previously enjoyed by many whilst raising money for needy causes...what could possibly be wrong with that?? Shep Wooley is a marvellous man who has had an enormous slap in the face but should be very proud of what he has done for the Portsmouth Beer Festival over the past years and if he can find another venue - Shep! We will be there with bells on! Thanks very much for your past efforts!
sausage-surprise
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 11:07 PMTHIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!! I speak on behalf of myself and the 1015 other friends and family that look forward to and attend the Pompey Beer Festival year in, year out without fail. Gutted for Shep and all others involved in this FANTASTIC yearly event. THIS CAN'T HAPPEN!!... Argh!!! HELP, SOMEONE PLEASE!!!...
Blue&WhiteArmy1971
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 10:11 PMI am extremely disappointed about this! I went for the first time last year and had a great time. Why axe succeful events? Could Shep find a different venue, like the Pyramids perhaps???
PFF
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 04:45 PMComment removed by moderator
The voice of reason (occasionally)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 03:45 PMNo Southsea Show, no love Albert Road,no Beer, no idea!!
pompeypops
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 02:56 PMTypical council if it was a wine and cheese party it would of still been on
seejay32
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 12:18 PMIt's 'cos beer's not cultural, init? Bet they put on an opera instead. No bums on seats of course, but that's not the point. Also, how can they say that current commitments will be honoured, then ditch one?
Grumpy Beer
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 11:49 AMClaire, your surname says it all.
monster munch
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 09:48 AMTerrible decision...Shep Woolley's right to be concerned that "postponed" really means "cancelled" ! Why get rid of a brilliant event that gives lots of pleasure to lots of people, and gives the suppliers a chance to show their wares and increase potential sales in this climate. Very short-sighted of Portsmouth Cultural Trust...
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