Gloucester City Council’s financial struggles have led to drastic cuts in its festivals and events budget, placing cherished cultural occasions like the Three Choirs Festival at risk of losing city funding this year.
The council, currently seeking a £15 million emergency loan from the Government, has slashed its festivals and events budget from £348,547 to just £178,500 for the upcoming financial year. This reduction comes despite the city’s recent cultural successes.
Caroline Courtney, the Culture and Leisure cabinet member, explained at a recent meeting that due to the council’s strained finances, some traditional events may not receive guaranteed funding. “We are planning for a reduction in the overall budget due to the council’s financial circumstances,” she said.
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While funding remains secure for projects connected to Together Gloucester, longstanding events such as the Three Choirs Festival—which rotates annually among the cathedral cities of Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester—face uncertainty. Similarly, the Global Streets programme, known for bringing subsidised international outdoor performances to towns across England, and Refugee Week activities may lose their usual financial support.
Courtney emphasized, “We are looking at where we can make savings, and what that means is likely we won’t be able to guarantee financial support for some festivals that we have historically.” However, the council intends to continue promoting these events through its marketing partnerships with Visit Gloucester.
Certain events including civic ceremonies, Gloucester Goes Retro, and the Lantern Parade will still receive funding. The council plans to enhance community involvement and explore opportunities to increase income streams for these activities to ease the financial burden.
Councillor Rebecca Trimnell lamented the cuts to the culture team, highlighting the frequent vulnerability of cultural programs during budget reductions. “Because culture is seen as a discretionary service, it’s usually the first on the chopping block when it comes to budget cuts,” she noted. She expressed hope for budget restoration in the future and praised the team for their efforts in planning forthcoming events despite these challenges.