Northampton Beer Festival 2021 POSTPONED

Northampton Beer Festival 2021 has been postponed this summer after organisers said it was "impossible" to commit to the initial June dates, which presented "too many constraints".

Northamptonshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) posted on its website and Facebook page last night (Tuesday, March 9) saying that Covid issues would not allow the public a traditional festival experience this summer at Becket's Park.

A CAMRA spokesman said: "Unfortunately we have to announce that it now looks impossible to commit to the June dates of 2021's proposed Northamptonshire County Beer Festival.

"Even though the government's roadmap out of lockdown allows for large outside events planned in a Covid safe manner after May 17 - and Northampton Borough Council had accepted the reduced size Becket's Park Beer festival plan - it has become apparent that aiming for a beer festival on the traditional weekend dates will present too many constraints and not allow us to offer the experience we all associate with the event."

This announcement comes just days after the organisers said the festival would go ahead in June.

The spokesman went on to say that the planning for any summer beer festival was "always contingent on the continued success of the battle against Covid".

"Although the announcement that we hoped to have a beer festival in June was overwhelmingly welcomed by our loyal customers, and many tickets have been sold, sadly we think we need to put those plans on hold once more until all parties are happy to proceed and the situation with Covid is clearer.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience," the spokesman added.

Guidance has also been issued by Skiddle, the event's ticket company, for those who have already booked their place.

A Skiddle spokeswoman said: "Your tickets will automatically be valid for the exact same day you originally booked.

"For example, if you booked Saturday, June 5 then your tickets will automatically be valid for Saturday, September 11.

"Please check the name of your ticket by carefully checking your email confirmation, heading to your order history at skiddle.com/orders or by logging into the Skiddle app.

"Please also be aware that your tickets will automatically be updated to the new dates in due course."

Members of the public who have bought a ticket will also be contacted by Skiddle via email offering a refund or moving tickets over to the new dates.

The festival's new target dates are for the weekend of September, 9, 10 and 11, according to the CAMRA spokesman.

For more information, visit Northampton County Beer Festival at Becket's Park on Facebook.

Northampton Borough Council has been contacted for comment.