I can't see how the festival failed to make money. The place was always buzzing. Did someone in accounts get the sums wrong or were they just charging too much for the use of the facilities?
They own the town hall anyway - so you only really have to count the cost of additional consumables. Extra loo paper etc. They may have spent too much on headliners. I always thought there were too few local ( thus less expensive ) performers. We all know of bands in our own area that don't travel much but are well liked and draw a good local adience. ( And fewer folk miles for the environment)
Has anyone calculated the benefit to the local economy - people like myself who come from out of the area and spend the best part of c£200 over the weekend - not including tickets.
Cheltenham has been very inventive in the past - apart from the racing its been developing its festivals that attract locals as well as tourists eg science;literary + the commercial events at the racecourse. The Council now have plenty of experience accomodating such events. Its cultural events + town planning - reducing the boy racers - is making the place a very attractive place to live.
Shame about the folk.
FloraG.