A rural music festival is set to return again next year – despite the company which ran this year’s event going into liquidation.
Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival this week announced a “change of management” but said they would still try to repay outstanding debts from the 2022 festival as soon as possible.
This year’s event, held in July at Cardross Estate, was fraught with last-minute difficulties, with Stirling councillors conditionally approving its licence just hours before revellers were due to start arriving.
The festival had been hanging in the balance after concerns were raised by emergency services and council officials that some requirements had not been met. In an announcement issued this week, those behind the event said: “Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival will take place on July 21-23 2023 under the new management of Festival Beverage and Property Services Ltd, who operated the festival in 2018 and 2019.
“All purchased tickets and payment plans remain fully valid.
“Doune the Rabbit Hole 2022 (and the company that ran this year’s event (Doune The Rabbit Hole Festival Ltd) suffered huge financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic, double roll-over, increased costs and consumer confidence combining with the rising cost of living to affect ticket sales.
“The director has exhausted his own resources in trying to repay suppliers but after taking professional advice, this company has gone into liquidation.
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“In spite of this situation, your feedback about the event told us it was a cultural and popular success worthy of sustaining.
“The new management of Festival Beverage and Property Services Ltd pledges to try to repay artist, crew and suppliers from the event in 2022 as soon as possible.
“Whilst in the process of restructuring, we are committed to preserving the atmosphere and essence of a well-loved, independent festival for future years.
“We will use your feedback to make Doune The Rabbit Hole 2023 the best and smoothest yet. We look forward to seeing you back in the field in July.”
Thousands of revellers, saw dozens of acts including Patti Smith, Jabberwocky, Amy Macdonald, The Bluebells and Boney M, across the days of this year’s event.
However, permission was only officially granted at the 11th hour by the local authorities after police, fire and ambulance representatives said their criteria had finally been satisfied and visitor numbers had been reduced from 15,000 to 10,000.
