Since the announcement that the Super Weekend due to be held in Torquay was announced, there has been much speculation on social media.
Many people have been angered by the cancellation blaming the council.
The Super Weekend posted on their Facebook page on Thursday (2nd March)
“Dear All – Sadly due to Torbay council now refusing access to public land originally agreed upon by the Mayor in December 2016, we are unable to stage the fourth Super Weekend event scheduled for the May Bank Holiday in Torquay,”
This led to comments such as:
“STUPID COUNCIL. They moan that there is not a lot of money coming 2 the bay and then they do something like this,” L Grice.
“Outrageous, we have literally 100s of accommodation providers desperate for business every month except July and August and they(idiots) block business ! They don’t pay for tourism promotion which the hotels now pay for and block great events like yours which they did nothing to support and encourage, in fact exactly the opposite.
They are ‘business prevention managers’ idiots!
Sorry all your hard work and frustration for nothing,” D Black.
“Absolutely disgusted with Torbay Council…. How about helping people/organisations to stage events that promote Torbay in a great light rather than stonewalling…. how does this decision benefit the council tax payer? We are a seaside resort who rely on events like this bringing people to the bay…. shame on you Torbay Council,” M. Black.
[fb_embed_post href=”https://www.facebook.com/TheSuperWeekend/photos/a.114498228658671.18657.111650802276747/1126853584089792/?type=3&theater/” width=”550″/]
Torbay council also commented on the post:
“Torbay Council was approached regarding hiring the Torre Abbey Meadows for The Super Weekend. At this point, it was fully explained to the operator that unless all health and safety requirements were met it would not be possible to run the event.
“Unfortunately the event organiser hasn’t been able to assure the council that the event has been appropriately planned or can be robustly managed for the location that was anticipated. Therefore, the requested permissions have been declined as Torbay Council has a duty of care for all events that take place on its land. We hope that the event organiser will reconsider his position and that this event will return to Torquay. Discussions are ongoing to try and find an alternative proposal which will satisfy the needs of everyone involved.
“Torbay Council is committed to supporting small and large scale Bay-wide events. There will be a number of council supported events taking place over this weekend and throughout the year, for more information visit www.torbay.gov.uk/events”
And today, a spokesperson for the council posted on Facebook:
“There has been a lot of speculation on social media regarding The Super Weekend which is inaccurate and misleading. The position is that the organiser of The Super Weekend advertised his event, for which he is charging an entry fee, before he sought formal permission from the council. In order for the council to give permission for events on its land, the land must be hired from the council and the council and statutory partners must be satisfied that the event can take place safely. The organiser could not satisfy either of these requirements.
“In addition, the organiser which is a private business, wanted the council to provide a substantial financial contribution to the event. Torbay Council is not able to fund private businesses unless a formal process such as a procurement exercise has been undertaken. We are however continuing a dialogue with the organiser about an event for later on in the season to give him more opportunity to prepare the necessary assurances.
“The council is committed to bringing high quality, well managed and organised events to Torbay and will continue to work with partner organisations for the overall benefit of the Bay,”
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