Shrewsbury Street Festival seek private sector funding
Organisers of the Shrewsbury’s International Street Theatre are looking to the private sector to help fill the gap left after the festival was denied funding by the Arts Council.
The family-orientated festival, now in its seventh year, brings an estimated £1.7m into the county town over three days and around 30,000 visitors.
As plans get underway for this year’s festival, festival director Bill Ferguson, has already confirmed sensational street dancing star, America’s Got Talent finalist Snap Boogie is flying over for the festival which will dominate
News that the grant application was rejected has been a big blow. “The Arts Council application was a three month application process for £35,000,” he said.
Although a grant was denied last year Mr Ferguson says he was “hopeful” this time it would be agreed.
“We were very hopeful. I met with the circus and street arts officer in Birmingham and I personally addressed the Arts Council on how to bring contemporary circus to the UK.
“Everyone said it was a very good application and then it was rejected, they said there was ‘not enough artistic development’ which is ridiculous. It would have been better if they had just said they did not have the money. I understand only about 38% of applications were approved.”
Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, which is backing the Festival, said: “Bill has done a fantastic job over the years here in Shrewsbury and he’s determined that the show must go on.
“It is such a landmark event and so important for the town, not just for its economic benefits but for the sense of fun it brings, the visitors it attracts and the way it puts Shrewsbury on the entertainment map.”
And Bill is still determined that the Festival will go ahead and he said: “There is nothing like this festival. Last year hotels were booked up and some of the street festival performers had difficulty finding rooms.
“I have been in touch with many of the performers over a long period of time and quite a few of the international stars are going to have to cancel because we cannot afford flight costs.
“But we are still going to have Snap Boogie come. It’s short-sighted of the funding bodies but the show will go on and I will not compromise on quality. I have been in this business 30 years and have personally performed for presidents, prime ministers and ambassadors all over the world.
“Street performing is an unknown world. These guys will not be on TV but they are amongst the very, very best in the world, many have gone on to work in places like Circus LA.
“We will now have to do our damndest to raise funds from sponsors and through people buying advertising in our programme,” said Mr Ferguson, who is still waiting to hear whether Shrewsbury Town Council will be awarding the festival a grant.
Healso praised the efforts of Kevin Lockwood. “He has been fantastic. He has been an observer at the board meetings and offered advice and suggestions trying to raise funds for us. His participation has been wonderful.
“This is a family-friendly event, there’s no swearing, no sex, drugs, alcohol, it’s the kind of entertainment the whole family can stand there and watch together, for free. It harks back to the very history of this town.
“Personally I don’t even make a proper salary out of this, I would be lucky to make £10,000 a year. But I’m not a person driven by money I would rather see something succeed,” he said.
In recognition of his achievements, Shrewsbury Rotary Club has recently given Mr Ferguson and the Festival its community service award.
The festival takes place on the streets of Shrewsbury on August 31, September 1 and 2.
