Standon Calling festival cancelled 'due to rising costs'

The organisers of an annual music festival have announced this year's event has been cancelled.

Standon Calling founder and director Alex Trenchard blamed the rising costs of running the Hertfordshire festival.

It follows reports that performers and caterers at the 2023 event had still not been paid, despite tickets for the 2024 festival being on sale.

Mr Trenchard said "the only sensible decision is to take a fallow year for the very first time in our history".

He said those who had bought tickets for the cancelled event could use them in 2025.

Those who chose to rollover their ticket, instead of requesting a refund, would also receive an additional ticket for next year's event, he said.

The line-up for this year's event had not been announced, but previous events have featured artists including George Ezra, Lewis Capaldi and Florence & The Machine.

The 2024 festival was scheduled to take place between 25 and 28 July.

In a statement, Mr Trenchard said: "It has become clear that the costs of running the event, already considerably higher over the last two years, have significantly increased again."

He said it was "practically impossible" to deliver the event that festivalgoers "have come to love, expect and deserve this year".

The 2025 festival is scheduled to take place between 24 and 27 July.

On Saturday, performers and food vendors, who appeared at last July's festival, complained they were still owed tens of thousands of pounds.

One catering business told the BBC it had still had not its their takings of about £13,000.

A group of performers, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were owed £12,000 including VAT.

Mr Trenchard apologised "for the delay to a small number of payments from our 2023 festival".

He said: "We are in the process of fulfilling these and contacting any remaining performers and suppliers."

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830