The directors of the Kemp Town Carnival Association have cancelled this years party, scheduled for June, and have announced they are going to have a “sabbatical” for a year to give them the opportunity to fully explore a more sustainable business model for the future.
IN THE present economic climate, with many community events experiencing tough financial conditions, the directors have decided to take time out to put into place a plan that will “ensure that the popular Carnival can move forward on a self-financing basis in the future”.
Despite going into the 2014 event carrying forward an historic loss of £12,000, the directors of KTC managed to turn that into a £3,000 profit after the event.
However, with cuts from central government about to impact on Brighton and Hove, costs that have previously been waived or reduced each year by Brighton and Hove City Council, for example £7,800 of parking bay suspensions, will no longer be subsidised.
Combined with community funding from the council being reduced to “next to nothing”, and other sources of funding becoming even more unpredictable, the directors feel the risks are just too great to confidently go forward with an event this year.
Carnival director Mat Cook said: “We are very disappointed that the Carnival won’t be taking place in 2015, but we feel it is of vital importance that we do not risk putting the Carnival into more debt and that we put a plan into place that is less reliant on grants and funding, where we are literally in a lottery as to whether or not our bids are successful.”
“We have been very successful in our fundraising efforts to date, raising over £120,000 in the last 4 years to maintain the Carnival. This has only been possible with the brilliant support from BHCC, National Lottery Awards For All, Arts Council England, sponsors, local businesses, and residents of Kemp Town and beyond. However the competition to access funding from these and other sources is becoming more and more problematic. By removing the pressure of delivering an event this year, we will be able to fully explore a more sustainable model for the Kemp Town Carnival and see the event flourish in the future.”
“We will be looking to hold a public meeting in a few months to share our ideas and discuss plans for 2016.”
