Bournemouth Air Festival: Council looks to scrap funding after 2024

Bournemouth's council should not fund the town's free seafront air show beyond next year, a report has said.

Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) had been considering how to finance the Bournemouth Air Festival amid a £44m budget shortfall.

Councillors are being asked to agree £200,000 for 2024's event, which will be three days instead of four.

A report said a new-look festival could be considered in 2025, replacing some displays with kites and drones.

It recommends external organisations should be invited to "fund the air show in 2025 and beyond" and there be "no council funding or direct staffing support for the Air Festival beyond 2024".

The recommendations will go before BCP's cabinet on 22 November.

The council, which has been led by the Three Towns Alliance since May, previously said this year's festival had been "heavily subsidised" with £400,000 of council taxpayers' money.

A working group established in the summer - including local businesses and the council - has been exploring new ways of organising and funding the festival.

Suggestions being explored include the introduction of a tourist levy and for the cost of accommodation for display teams - around £22,500 - to be covered by the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association.

Environmental schemes promoting sustainable travel, waste disposal and waste reduction would also be expanded.

Culture councillor Andy Martin said: "Our area is built on a visitor economy and this proposal is about supporting the businesses that depend on it with a long-term way forward, while also recognising the cultural value it brings in making the area a great place to live, work and play.

"What we do know is that there has been an escalation in uncontrollable costs in delivering the event since 2019 and there are concerns about the impact on the environment.

"I hope this proposal reconciles all these valid and compelling stand points and charts a course for a future financially sustainable festival that we can all be proud of."

The report noted that the Red Arrows would not be appearing at the 2024 event due to overseas commitments, but organisers were working to secure "alternative multi-jet and fast-jet display teams in Europe".

The provisional dates for next year's event are 29 August to 31 August.

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