Hopes have been raised that two popular summer events will be able to go ahead after fears that financial issues risked their future.
Last month, Newark Town Council heard that either the popular ‘Newark on Sea’ urban beach or Newark Festival may have to be scrapped after grant funding bids were unsuccessful, meaning the running of both events would not be possible.
The recommendation made at the time was that the £25,000 Newark Festival budget be diverted to help pay for the beach — although, a decision on the events’ future was deferred until more details were known.
Now, this week new plans came before the Finance and General Purposes committee which could potentially see both events saved.
It was proposed to members that the town council buy the hardware required to operate the beach — such as deck chairs, beach huts and retaining walls for the sand etc. — after it was found to be cheaper than the cost of hiring it in, such as in previous years.
The town clerk explained that although the initial cost would still be high, the equipment could be reused each year and in turn keep future costs down.
Additionally, by owning the equipment the council would have flexibility around when the beach could be held and also the length of time that the beach could be open for, as they would no longer need to abide by a hire company’s event schedule.
The only recurring costs each year would be the price of delivering the sand and the surrounding entertainment.
It was proposed that capital reserves be used for the initial purchases, totalling an estimated £13,000, although further grant funding bids of £17,000 have also been submitted by the council, which could bring costs down.
Any remaining shortfall could still be diverted from the £25,000 Newark Festival budget, but it is believed that the impact would be minimal and some form of festival can still go ahead — although will take a different format to that of past events.
Paul Taylor said: “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity. It seems commercially the right thing to do and we would be able to have a festival too, which I know a lot of people were upset about not having.”
Council leader, Neil Ross, added: “We all appreciate how important delivering Newark on Sea was to the residents of Newark and that is why we are prioritising it.
“But with this we can deliver it and also save some money that can then fund the festival in some way and so we can have two events over the summer.”
The council has identified a secure location where the beach equipment could easily be stored when not in use.
Matthew Spoors suggested that this was also be an opportunity for businesses in and around the town to sponsor the events in exchange for advertising, and subsequently bring in additional revenue.
The proposals were unanimously approved by the Finance and General Purposed committee.
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