Colchester's street festival is to be scrapped.

The Colchester Festival Association has decided to end the festival after being declined funding from Colchester Council and the Colchester Town Partnership.

But the town partnership has said it would be happy to meet and discuss the issue but wanted a full business plan before money was handed over.

Dorien Kelly, of the association, said the council was asked for £2,000 in cash and £1,100 in terms of services to support the festival. He added the Colchester Town Partnership was asked for £6,000.

He said: "They told us they would not help. Not in cash, not in kind. Not in any way, as they had no money. So there is no festival.

"After three successful years during which we employed hundreds of artists, entertainers and craftsmen, on a tiny budget, we genuinely expected that they would be excited by this. We thought that they might leap at the chance of getting actively involved.

"As a direct result of this lack of visible support, we are unable to raise any significant money from our other major commercial sponsors. Quite rightly they say that if our own council won't support us, they cannot either."

A spokesman for Colchester Town Partnership said: "We would like to talk to the festival people and see a proper business plan and proper proposals and to sit down and discuss it properly.

"The partnership is young and we have committments but the festival is a great event for the town."

Ken Jones, council portfolio holder for employment, economic development, leisure and tourism, said: "It is most regrettable. We have very worked very hard. I am full of admiration for what people have done but we need systematic approaches to this."

Published Tuesday, January 21, 2003

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