What has happened to Bournemouth Air Festival?
As hopes of a 2026 edition of Bournemouth Air Festival fade, what factors have led to its demise, and will it ever return?
The private air show operator that was expected to run the event on a 10-year contract has pulled out of talks.
The major sticking point was its plan to close the promenade and seafront between the piers, which the council said it legally could not do.
The US-based firm has also blamed the "instability of the financial and political climate" for its decision to withdraw.
The free air festival was first held in 2008 and has taken place every August, with the exception of 2020 when Covid restrictions were in place.
At its peak, it attracted about 1.3 million visitors to the seaside conurbation, and estimates of how much it annually contributed to the local economy vary from £14m to £59m.
But the cost to the council has sky-rocketed in recent years, with hikes across insurance, security, infrastructure and counter-terrorism measures.
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said its net budget for the four-day festival had risen from £300,000 in 2019 to £400,000 by 2022.
New legislation brought in after the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing is also set to significantly increase costs for all organisers of public events.
The authority, which has been run by a coalition since 2023, has already slashed millions from its budget as it grapples with a huge deficit for its special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services.
Half a million people attended the final council-funded air show in 2024, which was scaled back from four days to three, with the final net cost to the council reaching £248,000.
In the months that followed, officers explored two options - one was for a sponsor to foot the £400,000 bill of a council-run event, the other was for an external operator to run the air show at no cost to the authority.
With no firm offers of sponsorship, but five potential operators raising their hand, things began to look up.
But those early discussions led to just two firm expressions of interest and, with one of those requiring financial backing from the council, the initial flurry of enquiries quickly dwindled to a shortlist of one.
BCP's destination and leisure councillor Richard Herrett said the prospective organisers had flown from the US to attend the 2024 event, but had drawn up a "wide range of requests that would have created significant financial pressures on the council".
A report to BCP councillors said the plan to close off the beach and promenade between Boscombe and Bournemouth piers was to enable "a variety of hospitality offers ranging in price".
But the authority said the firm's "non-negotiable" request presented legal difficulties, as fencing off the area would contravene the Open Spaces Act 1906.
After the report was published, but before councillors met to discuss it, the company announced it was pulling out.
In a letter read to councillors, the operator, whose name was redacted, said: "Several factors led us to this decision, with the most significant being that, without the ability to fence off and restrict access to a significant part of the beach and the surrounding areas, it would be challenging to create a financially sustainable event model.
"The instability of the financial and political climate were also factors that would challenge us to deliver the event in a similar manner to our other events."
Council leader Millie Earl said: "We are still open to any interest from potential operators or sponsors.
"In the meantime, we remain invested in the cultural future of our beautiful area and are continuing to work with our partners and support others where we can."
The council says its Bay Run, Arts By the Sea Festival and Christmas in Bournemouth events will still go ahead.
But, with 12-months needed to organise the air show, any potential air show sponsor or operator would now be working towards 2027 at the earliest.
You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Bournemouth Air Festival in doubt as sponsor search ends
In pictures: Bournemouth Air Festival 2024
BCP Council
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
7.3% and 8.6% yields! 2 dividend shares to consider in July to target a £1,200 passive income
Though the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 remain on prolonged bull runs, many top UK shares continue to offer great value. The environment is especially attractive for investors seeking high-yield dividend shares to buy. Here are just two great dividend stocks with sky-high dividend yields to consider: Dividend share Forward dividend yield Supermarket Income REIT (LSE:SUPR) 7.3% Greencoat UK Wind (LSE:UKW) 8.6% Of course dividends are never guaranteed. But if broker forecasts prove accurate, a £15,000 lump sum spread equally across these companies will provide a near-£2k second income over the next 12 months alone (£1,193 to be exact). I'm confident too that each of these dividend shares will steadily grow the passive income they deliver over time. Here's why. As a real estate investment trust (REIT), this business is set up to deliver a consistent stream of dividends to shareholders. At least nine-tenths of profits from their rental earnings must be paid out each year under sector rules. Supermarket Income owns and lets 81 stores to the stable grocery industry's big beasts like Tesco and Sainsbury. This ensures a steady flow of income that's not vulnerable to changes in the economic cycle. As you may expect, the business is mindful of the growth of online retail and the threat this poses to future property demand. According to Statista, online penetration rates for food and other groceries in the UK have more than doubled since 2016. Consequently, the company's investment strategy is focused on so-called omnichannel stores that 'provide in-store shopping, but also operate as last mile, online grocery fulfilment centres for both home delivery and click and collect'. This helps to greatly reduce (if not totally eliminate) the threat of click-based shopping. I'm more concerned about the impact of future inflation on the business. A subsequent pickup in interest rates could dent earnings and pull its share price sharply lower again. But I feel the potential rewards of owning the REIT's shares outweigh this danger. Annual dividends have risen each year since it listed on the London stock market in 2017. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Renewable energy providers like Greencoat UK Wind, on the other hand, have a rapidly growing market to capitalise on. The climate's especially favourable in the UK, with the current government putting Net Zero among its policy priorities. For dividend investors, this fellow FTSE 250 REIT has other attractive qualities. Due to the stable nature of electricity demand, cash generation isn't impacted by broader economic conditions like many other UK shares. What's more, its revenues are essentially guaranteed by long-term contracts with energy suppliers. This has resulted in annual dividend growth that, except for last year when payouts were frozen, goes back to when the company joined the London Stock Exchange in 2013. That's not to say Greencoat UK Wind isn't without risk, of course. Like that other REIT I've described, profits are sensitive to interest rate changes. With just 49 wind farms on its books too, it doesn't enjoy technological diversification that can protect earnings when the wind doesn't blow. That said, on balance, I think its other safe-haven qualities — allied with that 8%+ dividend yield — make it worth serious consideration today. The post 7.3% and 8.6% yields! 2 dividend shares to consider in July to target a £1,200 passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Greencoat Uk Wind Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Popular Sutton Coldfield baker who had to give up business is back with new venture
A popular baker who ran his business from his parents' front garden is back with a new venture at a boutique shopping venue. Sebastian Clough ran On The Breadline from the family home in Worcester Lane, Roughley, Sutton Coldfield. The venture was a smash hit and there were queues down the road when he was open. READ MORE: Customers 'so sad' as city bakery closing at Christmas bakes final batches But the talented chef became a victim of his own success and working 20-hour days left him in excruciating pain and needing to stop. Sebastian closed the business last Christmas with foodies lamenting the loss of his signature sourdough focaccia breads and more, which he had been selling since 2018. But after battling back to fitness, Seb is back and helping run the bakery at the Forage food hall at the Coppice lifestyle centre in Middleton, between Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth. The venue is best-known for its Fig and Olive restaurant but is expanding its other offers including Forage, which will soon have an outdoor eating and drinking area. A number of independent businesses offer wedding outfits, antiques, Pilates, children's wear, pre-loved clothes, interior design, artwork and more. But Forage is the food hall at the heart of the venue, with an in-house bakery, butchers, deli and coffee shop. Coppice Lifestyle owner Jason Smith was a fan of Seb's and offered him a role. Seb, aged 29, said: 'It came out of the blue. I had my issues with my legs, with swelling. That's when I closed On the Breadline. 'At the time I was doing 20 hours-a-day and knew If I didn't stop the hours I was doing, I would get worse. 'I had to choose my health instead of my business.' He began On the Breadline aged just 22 and shut it on Christmas Eve last year after six years. He has spent the last few months recovering his health and was approached by Jason in April. He said: 'He gave me the opportunity to take on the whole of the bakery at Forage. To do what I was doing with On the Breadline but not the hours I was doing. 'I am doing sourdough loaves, tins, wholemeal and white baguettes and specialist breads with crispy onions or olives and Mediterranean focaccia – the focaccia was what I was best known for because of its flavour.' Seb even does a sourdough made with Guinness. And he was quick to praise Forage's other new recruits – Emily, Paighten and Beth – who have all joined in recent weeks. He said: 'It's a team effort with the cakes. There's four of us doing bread, cakes and pastries. 'This is my third week and I'm slowly changing what we have and expanding it. 'It was small white and wholemeal loaves and basic sourdough. They weren't complex flavours,. 'But I am bringing my bread that people used to rave about. My passion is bread,' he added. READ MORE: Dad who built £180k back garden bungalow for ill father has days to tear it down Sebastian started baking aged just 11 and going to a Saturday course at University College Birmingham (UCB). He left school and went back to UCB to train as a professional baker. After a gap year, he travelled to Chicago in the United States to train at the French Pastry School for a year. On the Breadline was essentially a one-man band with a little help from his mum and sister, who helped sell his baked goods. But the work became relentless and he was up early to bake and then sell, before prepping the next day's goods. Seb said: 'I was doing sourdoughs, croissants, cakes, treats, prepping sandwiches throughout the day. 'I was doing it all by myself. I was the only one doing the baking side of it.' Now at Forage he still has the early starts but he's part of a team so works from 5am to 1pm or 2pm and sales are handled by the Forage team, and with three others baking, its less onerous. He said: 'It's manageable but perfect for what I want to do. 'I'm head of bread but there's others doing the pastries and cakes. 'We supply the Fig and Olive with its breads. 'I will be bringing all of what I did with On The Breadline – focaccia, chocolate and cherry and crispy onion. Different breads will be coming. 'The only thing we aren't doing, which we had, is different sandwiches. But what makes the Sutton baker's breads stand out from the rest? He said: 'It's the process. I like to leave my doughs for 48 hours of fermentation. Normally it's 24 hours. 'But 48 hours adds more depth in flavour. The most flavoured breads I do is my focaccia. 'It's part science, part passion and skill.' Seb said he was thrilled to get the offer from Jason. He said: 'This came along and it's woken my dream back up. 'I am still doing my passion in my skilled area.. It's woken the dream back up in a different way. 'When I came here Jason showed me around and told me what he wanted. 'He said the bakery was lacking and he wanted to make the bakery stand up a little bit. 'This is something I want to do. I wanted to stay in baking and it was finding the right opportunity. 'The timing was perfect. I'm able to control my health a lot better. 'It's my passion. I was so excited to start. It's what I love.' Get the latest Sutton Coldfield news delivered direct to your inbox He added: 'It's been amazing, the welcome. The people are all lovely. 'Normally, I am a shy person and get anxious at new things but it felt like it was right for me. 'The bakery team is new but we are working well together and creating ideas. 'The breads are beautiful. The cakes are beautiful. We are developing every day.' Forage's bakery uses herbs, fruits and spices grown at what was the old Newlands Garden Centre – now Coppice. 'I want the bakery to stand alone,' Seb said. 'I want people to say 'I'm going to the Forage for the bakery. I want it to have its own identity.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'London boroughs have a responsibility to open more spaces for e-bikes'
Six years ago, Agustin Guilisasti was living in west London and studying for a master's in data science across the city at South Bank University. The Chilean had only envisaged staying in London for a year, but instead sensed a 'big opportunity' with bike travel after becoming frustrated with expensive cycle hire options at the time. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs – Guilisasti's grandfather set up Concha y Toro, the largest wine-growing company in Latin America – he had been part of the founding team at Cabify, the unicorn ride-hailing firm which was the first in its sector to offset carbon emissions. With a sustainability angle in mind, Guilisasti, along with two co-founders, PR expert Caroline Seton and marketing guru Michael Stewart, launched micromobility start-up Human Forest. Read More: We sold a hand cream every 36 seconds after appearing on This Morning They launched their e-bike service with a difference to competitors Lime and Santander Cycles by offering the first 10 minutes free every day for users. 'It was cheaper than Lime and the Tube and was affordable for everyone. There was no excuse not to use e-bikes,' says Guilisasti. In 2020, the company tested 200 bikes in Islington, north London, and growth has sped along to five years later with 15,000 currently on London's streets. Billed as the capital's most affordable e-bike provider and now called Forest, the company provides over one million customers across 14 boroughs. According to data, Londoners are now taking 1.33 million cycling trips every day, up by over a quarter since pre-COVID levels, while shared e-bike trips at industry leader Lime and Forest account for one in six rides into the capital. Yet, says Guilisasti, the issue of e-bike parking has remained stagnant. Dame Joan Collins recently took to social media to lambast 'loutish' Lime e-bike riders blocking pavements, while councils are slowly introducing compulsory bay-only parking models following agreements with hire companies. Guilisasti says it has incentives for riders to park in specific spots with the lure of extra minutes and uses AI to predict where the best locations are for both consumers and London itself. 'We know where they [bikes] are and where there are too many of them,' he adds. Read More: The boss who has found 'nature's answer to plastic' 'We need to work with the authorities, share the data and be responsible in how we manage the whole operation. Lime hasn't done that well and we are paying as an industry a little bit because of that. There is a responsibility for the boroughs also to open more space.' The Chilean native says he is 'excited' over the recent news from the London mayor that part of Oxford Street will see a car ban and also highlights how Forest e-bikes are available through the cycle-to-work scheme. Employees can take up an offer of less than £1 per day. Forest employs 71 staff and around 300 agency seasonal staff through the year. Meanwhile, the company's mission is also laid bare on its website, where an asterisk takes centre stage in 'c*r' to facilitate a shift away from vehicles in London. 'We are trying to simulate each time you ride on a Forest, you save 'x' amount of CO2," adds Guilisasti. "We are trying step by step to ensure it is better for the city, users and the planet.' Forest, which says it recycles almost 70% of broken bike parts, has raised a total of £25m in investment to date, while revenues have jumped from £7.4m in 2023 to nearly £30m last year. Guilisasti forecasts revenues to double this year. Revenue lines include brand tie-ups for advertising on Forest's app, the latest partnership being Deliveroo, with the food delivery giant's logo featuring on e-bikes and video adverts active on the app. 'We have done things differently to our competitors and that has helped give us profitability,' says Guilisasti. Read more: The Briton who invented Alexa is now helping to make AI trustworthy The company has also implemented an airline-style reciprocal approach with global mobility partners, whose users can use Forest bikes in London akin to Lime's partnership with Uber. 'We are made in London but for the rest of the world we are doing alliances which makes more sense for now,' says Guilisasti, after Forest had tendered to bring its model to Paris earlier this year. 'Our plan is to expand operations to the west of London. We need to put all our effort into growing in London and become one of the biggest players. 'From day one we have had sustainable mobility for everyone and we have kept to that mission.' How to build a brand for longevity My advice is to find something that generates value to the users. The reason why people love Forest is that it's affordable, sustainable and we are doing something a little bit different to the rest. Pedal, pedal, pedal. You need to be clear of your mission and to continue believing in it and if you have a value behind it. Don't try to reinvent the wheel – be simple. Try to do things that are win-win. If you have a product or service where everyone wins you won't need to spend money investing in the users. We have spent almost zero in acquisition and behind that we have something in our brand that is good for consumers. Relationships in life are everything. When you are in the office you do more things and you can work faster. Read more: 'Our £30m success is due to mums making sure our children's food looked great' Meet the 'jokers from London' who sold 100,000 blocks of butter in first 10 weeks Britain's 'king of billboards' who sold his business for £1bn
