Parkgoers have shared their disappointment after a Nottingham festival was postponed. The Detonate Festival was set to take place at Colwick Country Park on June 10, with acts including Chase & Status and Mall Grab, but organisers confirmed on May 15 that the event would not be taking place as planned.
This was attributed to spiralling operating costs, which the organisers said they were unable to pass onto ticket buyers amid the cost of living crisis. Those neighbouring Colwick Country Park and frequent visitors, some of whom had attended Detonate Festival in the past, said the postponement of the occasion was unfortunate.
Nelson Gomez, 54, an electrician who likes to stay fit by exercising at the park three times a week, thought the postponement would mean the area would lose out on the benefits from the festival. "It is obviously bad for the many people who come to the park for the festival, but I think the local area loses out as well because those people are spending their money here.
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"It is nice that people get together and enjoy the park and music, also most of the time they do a good job cleaning up so there's not much mess. It doesn't have any downside I've seen for the park really - I think it is important we have that tourism every year."
Casey Smith, 31, and Gabby Brydges, 30, from Carlton, had attended multiple Detonate Festivals in the past, and were disappointed the event had to be postponed. "It is a shame that they have had to cancel. I know sometimes there was mess and noise but I think people around here have gotten used to it - I don't think many people will be happy about it," Ms Brydges said.
"It is understandable that they've had to cancel it but a lot of people will be disappointed that they can't go. People will have been waiting for it."
Last year's festival saw hundreds descending on the park and it ended with a four-minute firework display. The festival has been one of the major events in Nottingham's music calendar alongside others such as Splendour, which is due to take place in July.
Trevor Glaizebrook, 75, who lives on the Castle Meadows estate next to the park, said he was used to the event - despite the fact it "wasn't his sort of music".
"They do make a mess but it is cleaned up and it is only a few days, it doesn't really bother me. I'm sure it will make some people happy that it's not going on this year, but there's always someone that has to have a moan."
Organisers also said that those who had purchased tickets would be entitled to a refund, which will usually appear in bank accounts within three to five working days. Most ticket providers will automatically refund the card used to buy tickets, though Fatsoma will send a link through for people to click and request a refund.
A statement from the Detonate Festival said: "Sadly today [May 15] we've had to make the painful decision to postpone Detonate Festival 2023. We're completely gutted, but a number of factors mean that it now feels impossible for us to put on the festival to the expected standard.
"Everything that's needed to put on a festival has gone up massively, and costs are continuing to spiral as we get closer to the event. We're unable to pass these costs onto ticket buyers in the midst of a cost of living crisis.
"We're now at the point where we'd have to start spending ticket buyers money to make the festival happen. We're not comfortable doing that when we can't be 100 per cent confident the festival can take place this year. So we've had to hit pause.
"This isn't a decision we've taken lightly, and we know it's disappointing for the thousands of you that have tickets. Also for all the people that have put their time and energy into the festival.
"Detonate Festival will be back soon. Your support is massively appreciated as ever."
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