Funding shortfall means Swiss Cottage Festival is axed

Published: 16 June 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

A POPULAR community festival that attracted up to 6,000 people last year has been cancelled due to a funding crisis.

The annual Swiss Cottage Festival was renowned for its live bands, dance, food stalls, arts, crafts and sports.

Last year the event, which attracted support from businesses and groups including Hampstead Theatre, the Winch, and Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, Swiss Cottage Community Centre and Swiss Cottage Library, had its most successful year yet, attracting a record number of people. But organisers have announced a £4,000 funding shortfall means it will not go ahead this year.

Charlie Hedges, chairman of the festival panel, said: “We just haven’t been able to get the funding. The council have offered the Kilburn Festival £4,000 but we’ve only been offered £500. Other funding has also dried up. On top of that we were told we had to pay £1,000 for insurance. 

“We have some money of our own but not enough. We’ve been inundated with people calling to book stalls and we’ve had to tell them it’s off. There will be a lot of disappointed people in Swiss Cottage.”

Don Williams, the Tory councillor for Swiss Cottage who previously chaired the festival panel, added: “It’s a great shame because last year was so successful. Obviously the council aren’t in a position to help so we need some help from the private sector or sponsorship.” A council spokeswoman said: “This year the Swiss Cottage festival group applied for a £2,000 funding grant, which the council was unfortunately unable to provide. We did, however, offer to provide a grant of £500, which is in line with council grants awarded to festivals of a similar size.”