As far as I understand it from a conversation I had with John Heydon at Whitby a few weeks ago they are still looking for a venue (same requirements as set out on a thread on this site last year), and are still having difficulty in finding one that ticks all the boxes. The idea of a festival next year is probably a non-starter in view of the lack of a venue at this point. If anyone knows of a suitable venue that might be a goer for the future, please contact Mr Heydon.

Personally I'm suffering severe withdrawal symptoms for lack of the National - it was always my favourite festival, and the start of the festival year just doesn't seem the same without it.