UK largest independent festival, based near Winchester, is forced to cancel its 2021 edition blaming the lack of Government insurance around the COVID pandemic. While preparing for the return of live events this summer, the Government seems to be undermining the economic activity of these gatherings. The £250m offered as insurance would subsidise the over £1bn costs of live events and open a £9bn economic activity. However, this insurance will only be applied in the case of other COVID restrictions implemented by the Government.
Boomtown hosts 66,000 people, employs over 13,000 staff members – including contractors, artists and traders – and, in 2018, the festival had an economic contribution of over £25m. Boomtown director, Anna Wade, stated: ‘We are devastated that we will no longer be holding Boomtown this year. With less than four months to go until the event, and after almost half a year of collective campaigning to the government, sadly Covid-specific cancellation insurance simply does not exist. This means anyone putting on an event this year, will have to do so without the safety net of insurance to cover them should a decision by the government on Covid prevent them from going ahead in any capacity.
‘For an independent event as large and complex as Boomtown, this would mean an eight-figure sum gamble, risking our future as a festival if we were to proceed and then not be able to go ahead if more restrictions were placed by the government due to Covid.’ She continued: ‘Whilst the government roadmap remains on track, the one thing preventing organisers of events and festivals committing to deposits for the vital suppliers, including freelancers and production companies, is a government-backed insurance scheme. This is not an ask for money, but a call for commitment to support and provide a safety net to organisers who want to plan and run a safe event this summer and will only be required if an event is cancelled due to Communicable Disease restrictions imposed by government.’
The event was supposed to happen on August 11-15, but has now been postponed to August 10-14, 2022.
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