Victorious Festival organisers vow 2021 event will be ‘better than ever'

Many festival goers who were looking forward to the 10th anniversary event have pledged to take up the option of rolling their tickets over to next year’s festival rather than demanding a refund.

James Ralls, festival director, said: ‘Obviously the whole team is gutted as they work so hard on this every year, but the response on social media has been amazing.

‘It's been heartening for them to see so many people wanting to roll their tickets onto next year and coming back to help us make Victorious 2021 better than ever. We really are so very grateful for the support.’

One of the festival founders, Andy Marsh, feels it was the only decision which could be made.

Andy said: ‘It’s a real shame for everyone but there are bigger things at stake in tackling this coronavirus pandemic. The most important people are the festival goers themselves and if they are willing to keep their tickets till next year than that’s fantastic.

‘I’ve been bowled over by their support.’

While organisers offered the option of a refund, many of the festival’s regulars have said they are happy for their tickets to be transferred, despite having no indication of the future line-up.

Wesley Frost, 36, from Southsea, added: 'I will be transferring. The festival is great for our local community and to have such great bands on your doorstep is amazing. We are very lucky.'

Adrian Heath, 32, from Waterlooville, has only missed one festival out of the last nine. He feels it’s important if people are in a financial position to transfer tickets then they should do so in order to secure the festival’s future for years to come.

Adrian said: ‘I’m in the process of buying a house but I’m hoping to transfer my ticket to next year as it’s important to keep the festival going. It brings so many people into the city and also generates money for a lot of local businesses.

‘As well as supporting local stalls and food outlets, people will stay in hotels and spend money in the city’s bars and restaurants.’

The policy of rolling tickets over also has the full backing of Portsmouth City Council leader, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, who has previously attended the festival.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: ‘I think it’s the right decision to cancel but it will be really missed. It’s such a family friendly festival and I think it’s a sensible decision to move tickets to next year’s event in order to support organisers to have the cash-flow to organise next year’s event.

‘It would be such a terrible shame if the company wasn’t in a position to do this because of the cancellation.’

Victorious organisers have pledged to use their newly gained time to help those in need during the pandemic by working with Hive Portsmouth to support vulnerable people during the pandemic.

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