Dates revealed for this year's Godiva Festival in Coventry - The Coventry Observer

Dates revealed for this year's Godiva Festival in Coventry

Coventry Editorial 18th Mar, 2019   0

THE DATES for this year’s Godiva Festival in Coventry have been revealed.

It will be held in the War Memorial Park over three days from July 5 to 7.

The festival has been running for 20 years and will once again feature top name acts and local talent, with live music, comedy and entertainment across five stages.

Other attractions will include food and drink stalls, a family field and craft village.




The festival continues to go from strength to strength, and last year attracted crowds of 115,000 over the three days.

Last year’s festival became mired in controversy after it was revealed a £460,000 overspend was mostly the result of staging major acts from two cancelled council-backed Ricoh Arena concerts.


Opposition councillor and leader of the Conservatives Gary Ridley has also raised concerns about rumours of a charge for visitors from outside the city to boost income.

But council chiefs say it brought a massive boost to the local economy, with an estimated direct economic impact of £2.3million – with more than half of last year’s audience coming from outside Coventry.

It has grown so popular that the capacity for last year’s event was increased from 30,000 to 50,000 and the entire site fenced to improve safety.

They say the success has brought challenges, with additional costs and work in order to keep everyone safe.

But it will remain an important part of Coventry’s calendar as the city builds towards its year as UK City of Culture 2021.

Deputy leader Councillor Abdul Khan said: “We’re really pleased to be able to confirm the festival dates for this year.

“The 2019 festival returns to its usual early summer dates as well, rather than the end of August, which was the case for last year’s festival, which enabled the city to play host to the BBC’s Biggest Weekend event.

“This year’s event will be broadly similar to 2018 but there is a conversation we need to have with partners and residents about the festival in the future.

“While we remain committed to the Godiva Festival, well documented financial pressures facing the Council along with additional costs to improve safety means that we may not always be able to continue to deliver the festival in the same way unless we increase sponsorship or increase other income generating avenues.

“Clearly, if there are partners out there who are keen to join us in delivering and supporting this fantastic event in the lead up to our year as UK City of Culture, then get in touch.

“I’m looking forward to another fantastic festival that will once again have something for everyone.”

Last year’s festival featured more than 70 artists, including big names such as Jonas Blue, Professor Green, Editors and Ronan Keating.

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