The founder of West Cumbria’s biggest festival has announced he is stepping down.
Oliver Hodgson said he had become ‘sucidally depressed’ and struggling with his mental health recently, plus ongoing family issues had prompted his resignation.
He said: “I have resigned as a director from Alive Entertainment Group Ltd, producers of the Whitehaven Alive festival with immediate effect.
“Protecting and safeguarding my health and family is my utmost priority, and that is one of the key considerations my resignation is based on. I will openly admit to recently suffering severely from mental ill health resulting in intrusive thoughts and becoming suicidally depressed.
“I have often spoken publicly about my struggles with my mental health and currently with a personal private health struggles and ongoing family issues as well as the strain of the festival, I have been suffering silently in a dark place that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone ever.
“The vision for the festival has always been to provide something that the people and businesses of West Cumbria want and deserve. Taking on this project has been no easy feat, and anyone who knows the associated stress and expectations will appreciate this.
“This festival has been bootstrapped from day one with the support of an incredible team made up mainly of volunteers and a selection of supportive partner organisations and stakeholders.
“There’s a small hidden army of local people who have worked and continue to work on the festival to produce something the area so richly deserves.
“The current economic climate affecting consumer spending with the cost-of-living crisis and inflation skyrocketing production and operation costs has made balancing finances incredibly difficult, the stress endured has therefore been extreme.
“Contrary to what some may think and to set the record straight, I have had zero financial gain from the festival nor has any of our current or previous directors. Significant losses have been made and it’s been kept going by personal financial injections and personal guarantors.
“This festival has not been propped up by the taxpayer – it’s been run by independent local individuals from the good of their hearts. So far, we received no support whatsoever from the town council or any public bodies.
“Over the last couple of years, we have staged two incredible September festivals, and it has become a victim of its own success.
“Across both weekends we brought A-list artists, major media attention for the harbour and local businesses, generated over £2m for the local economy, and in 2023 welcomed 35,000 attendees to our town delivering exceptional social value and economic regeneration.
“I am proud of the above and the fact I gave it my best and unrivalled dedication, for free through pure passion.
“I’d like to wish Liz and her team the very best in moving forward with the festival and the incredible brand and platform we have all built up. Whitehaven truly deserves this festival; everyone should be behind it and the team.
“I will be focusing on improving my health with the support of my family, friends, and medical professionals, and focusing on my marketing agency. I will be making no further comment in relation to the festival itself or the festival company at this time.”
