Shrewsbury Fields Festival left with no venue
One of the county's largest festivals is without a venue after showground owners announced they will not host the event.
Shrewsbury Fields Forever was due to take place at the Greenhous West Midland Showground in Shrewsbury, on September 11,12, and 13, this year.
Ian Bebbington, showground manager, said the board of trustees to the Shropshire & West Midlands Agricultural Society had decided not to accept the booking because they had been unable to come to a contractual agreement with the organisers.
He said: "We are extremely disappointed. We have tried our very best to get to a position where we could agree the event for this year.
"It is a big thing for the town and it is a big thing for the show ground."
However, festival organisers Forever Invasion, say that despite their disappointment they are confident the event will take place at a new venue.
Last year around 16,000 people attended the three day festival, which featured a host of top musicians and comedians, including The Cribs, Shed Seven, Russell Kane, and Lee Nelson.
Mr Bebbington said the decision had been taken now because of the amount of planning required ahead of hosting an event.
A statement issued by the trustees confirmed the position, saying: "The board of trustees of the society have taken the decision not to accept a request to hire the showground for the Shrewsbury Fields Forever event this year."
The statement also revealed that the organisation had undertaken "protracted discussions" with the festival management to enable the event to take place.
Dene Edwards of Forever Invasion said fans can be confident the festival will be taking place at a new venue.
He said: "We have various options made available to us from various venues across the area - which makes us feel privileged that we have had so many who want to support us past and present.
"Shrewsbury Fields Forever will happen as planned at a new venue in September, all tickets purchased already will remain valid and we always strive to improve upon each year's show and we urge everyone to continue their much loved support."
The 53 acre showground, off Berwick Road, also hosts Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
