One of Colchester’s most anticipated family music festivals has been cancelled and may not return to the city, the organisers have confirmed.
The Nearly Festival at Old Heath Recreational Ground will no longer take place on July 29 and 30 when crowds were meant to enjoy hits from tribute acts.
Last year’s festival, the fifth instalment, saw headliners replaying classics from Madness, Bob Marley, Abba, Lady Gaga, Robbie Williams, and Oasis.
In a statement, the organisers said: “It is with deep regret that we write with notice of cancelling the Colchester Nearly Festival.
“We wholeheartedly thank ticket holders for securing tickets but unfortunately there are not enough of you to risk taking on the next ten days with the danger of more adverse weather.
“Last week we did get hit by adverse weather with only 40 per cent of of our ticket holders attending.
"Running an event with poor numbers will not be a pleasurable experience for ticket holders nor fair to our food traders and vendors who, like us incur large running costs.”
The team has also states deteriorating numbers over the last couple of years as a reason for the “extremely difficult decision”.
One of the organisers, Danny Banthorpe, said: “We got moved from Castle Park to Old Heath around four years ago, to make space for the bigger events there.
“That disappointed a few people back then. We’ve given it a massive push to promote the festival during the last couple of weeks but it has been hard.”
When asked whether this will be the end for the Nearly Festival in Colchester, Mr Banthorpe was not sure.
“It is very difficult to come back after something like this. We will be looking at all our options before we make a final decision," he said.
“Colchester has not been doing as well compared to the other festivals we are hosting.
“We are not in a financial position to take that risk.”
People who had bought tickets will be refunded.
The festival team’s tour will stop at Maldon next weekend and ticket holders for Colchester’s festival are offered a special discount to attend the festival there.
Tickets are still available at https://events.mhtickets.com/events/69125
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