Sun sets on Newquay's Run To The Sun festival host as restrictions imposed at campsite
This year's Run To The Sun in Newquay will be the last at Trevelgue Holiday Park, following a review of the site's licence by Cornwall Council.
The car rally and music event has grown in popularity, but Trevelgue, which hosts some of the action, has accused the council of making it impossible to grow or hold other events.
After dozens of residents complained of excessive noise in the early hours the council ruled no music could be played outdoors after 11pm. Trevelgue managing director Mike Finnegan said this left them no choice but to pull the plug, and accused councillors and tourism officers of failing to support it.
"The conditions proposed don't allow us to grow the event, but rather reduce it in size," he said.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
"They've refused the use of a marquee despite our undertaking to have only a silent disco after 11pm.
"In a year of local elections people should be asking the candidates for their views on protecting local tourism and employment. They support a festival for 17,500 people over three nights with proposed camping for 12,000 people for four nights in a green field run by a London-based company [Boardmasters], which impacts heavily on our core season as it adjoins our holiday park, but cannot see their way to support a well-established local accommodation provider which gives all-year- round employment and pays all-year-round business rates.
"They're currently objecting to our request for an extension from 2am to 4am over five weekend events. This represents over 10,000 additional visitors to Cornwall.
"We have to give the visitors good reason to come; we're all aware we can't depend solely on the weather.
"It's a very sad day for tourism in Cornwall."
Cranstar Holidays, which runs the holiday park, has said negotiations over a new project were underway and details would be revealed soon.
Tony Townsend, from Newquay Chamber of Commerce, said the full impact on the town could not be assessed until it was known which site Run To The Sun would be using instead.
"From a businessman's perspective, I think the May bank holiday weekend will always be busy, but these festivals add to the occasion and bring good publicity to Newquay as an area," he said.
"Hopefully if it's replaced, the new event can be just as successful, if not more so."
Cornwall Council noted that the conditions of the existing licence had been breached several times, including 'noise nuisance' and instances of trespassing and antisocial behaviour in neighbouring gardens, which gave them no choice but to amend the licence conditions.
The final Run To The Sun will take place on May 24.
2 Comments
by Kingsman
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 2:24AM
“I'm a middle aged homeowner, not hugely keen on noise at night, but for heavens sake - it's just a few days! This a popular annual event that brings a bit of fun and much needed revenue to Newquay. What possible harm can come from a silent disco in a marquee? Is the sound of young people enjoying themselves really too much to bear? Very sad, very very sad indeed....”
by Brian6666
Sunday, March 10 2013, 9:49PM
“Once a year , over ONE weekend.....Sad sad Newquay / council :(”