Headliners of Cumbria’s latest festival will no longer play on Whitehaven harbourside as organisers announce a change of venue.
Chris Moyles and Scouting For Girls will now take to the stage at Cumbria Sports Academy at Hensingham on September 9 and 10 – while the festival village featuring other entertainment and traders will remain at the harbour for Whitehaven Alive.
Oliver Hodgson, festival co-director, said the decision to use two sites was due to demand for tickets for the two gigs and to make the event enjoyable and accessible for as many people as possible over the weekend.
The main event village will be taking place on Whitehaven Harbour and will include a food and producers’ market, family activities, a range of brands from across food, drink and home as-well as a Porsche car display and attractions such as a Ferris Wheel. The harbour village is free for all to attend.
Oliver added: “We’re delighted with the response from Whitehaven and the wider community, everyone has got right behind this event, and the reaction and demand for tickets has been great.
“In order for us to make our inaugural festival enjoyable for as wide an audience as possible, we’ve decided to utilise two sites for the event from across our wonderful town, thus fully bringing the whole of Whitehaven very much alive.
“Not only do we have fantastic musical acts lined up for the weekend, some of the traders we have along the harbour are an absolute coup – I can’t wait to try some of the dishes, products and cuisines that will be on offer.
“We hope the Whitehaven Alive brand builds from our first year and we become a key diary feature for people, benefiting the town of Whitehaven, promoting its offering and giving locals and tourists something to enjoy and look forward to.
“We’re very grateful to the committee at stadium for supporting this event and also to Liz and Danny from the Yellow Earl Co, who we’re delighted to be working closely with.”
Chief executive of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, John Baker added: “We are really looking forward to Whitehaven Alive and to enjoying the real buzz and atmosphere it will create across the town and the Harbour over the weekend of September 9 and 10.
“We’re delighted that the harbour is being used alongside the stadium to put on what will be a memorable and enjoyable event for our local communities and the whole town.”