Yahoo News Huge Padstow Christmas Festival axed after 17 years over 'escalating costs'
A major Cornwall Christmas event has been axed due to "escalating costs" and a lack of sponsorships, its organiser has confirmed. Padstow Christmas Festival draws in thousands of visitors to the town over the four-day event.
One of the largest events of its kind in the UK it was due to take place from December 4 to 8 this year with market stall holders already onboard and a host of fun and foodie-filled festivities including the popular Sharp’s Chefs Theatre ticketed events.
Each year the centre of Padstow is transformed for the event and the market in particular is a vital part of small business trade for the season. But after previously opening up about the event's financial struggles, founder and organiser Tina Evans has confirmed it won't go ahead this year.
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In an email sent out to traders on Friday (May 10) the event organiser said: "It is with great sadness and regret that I have been left with no alternative but to cancel the 2024 Padstow Christmas Festival. With escalating costs and lack of sponsorship the event has become financially non-viable.
"Having paid out deposits and initial costs it has become painfully obvious that the festival could not carry on. So to minimise the financial loss as far as possible to cancel now is the best option.
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"We could have carried on but I know in my heart of hearts that I would have had to cancel later on and then the financial loss to all would have been much greater. My sincere apologies to you all. It has been a great 17 years and I know some of you have supported us for many many years and I am truly sorry that we can not continue.
"I wish you all well for the future. You all have great products so I know whatever events you decide to do you will all be succesful."
In 2022 the event took the decision to start charging for entry to the Christmas market tent. It asked for a £7 entry fee to go towards the rising costs of running the event. People had called the charge "greedy" and "atrocious" saying you shouldn't have to pay for "the privilege of entering a tent to buy luxury items".
Last year organisers dropped that entry fee after backlash and the Christmas market reverted back to being free to enter.
Padstow Christmas Festival said at the time: "Last year the Padstow Christmas Festival was the first event following the Coronavirus pandemic so this presented various hurdles, that when combined with increased costs and sponsorship challenges, could not have gone ahead without a ticket charge."
