As the current organisers of Solfest announce that they have been forced to pack up their tent, we’ve delved into some our our archives for our memories of the musical festival in years gone past.
A statement released last night by organisers said they have placed the company into liquidation.
They said it followed a series of significant challenges – many out of the festival team’s control – and had not been an easy decision to make. They apologised to everyone.
The statement said: “In the run-up to and during the 2024 event, Cumbria experienced some of the most severe summer weather on record.
“Despite extensive preparation and the efforts of staff, volunteers and partners, the conditions led to cancelled or rescheduled performances and reduced attendance, as many ticket-holders were unable to attend or left early, resulting in a substantial financial impact.
“These losses were compounded by wider pressures facing the live events industry, including rising infrastructure, production, staffing and safety costs, alongside declining ticket sales linked to the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“Like many independent festivals, Solfest has been operating in an increasingly challenging environment.
“In addition, historical debts – which had been carefully managed over time – were significantly exacerbated by these setbacks, placing the company under unsustainable financial pressure.
“Despite every effort to recover, the combined impact of these factors has made it impossible for the business to continue trading in its current form.
The brand had been a staple in the music festival summer calendar for over 20 years.
Here’s a selection of our photos dating back to 2010 – we’d love to see your photos and hear your memories of Solfest.
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