Festivals and events in line for council funding boost
Ten events throughout Argyll and Bute are in line to receive grant support totalling more than £48,000 from council chiefs.
The Mull Rally is recommended to be the biggest beneficiary of the council’s strategic events and festivals (SEF) fund, with a £15,000 award earmarked.
Music festivals in Tarbert and Tiree, winter festivals in Helensburgh and Oban, Tarbert Seafood Festival and Islay Book Festival are also recommended for funding to the tune of up to £5,000.
Completing the line-up are the ‘Doon The Watter’ event, ButeFest and the Oban Games.
A report detailing the recommended grant awards went before the authority’s policy and resources committee at its meeting yesterday (Thursday).
Council executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “There is no doubt that Covid, and other contributing factors, have had an unprecedented negative impact on the events and festivals sector.
“The council acted promptly to support the industry by continuing to provide SEF funding support to events over the past three years and whilst unfortunately some events did have to cancel in 2020/21 there was a resurgence in 2022/23 and the successful applicants from rounds 4 and 4.2 (2022-2023) were able to go ahead.
“The council received a total of 18 applications across the two SEF 4 rounds and all of these events have either gone ahead or have confirmed they are scheduled to take place.
“In the first call for funding of round five, the council received a total of 11 applications and allocated funding of £82,575.
“Therefore, these, together with the 10 eligible applications which have applied to round 5.2, are indicative of a slow recovery which continues to face challenges such as the cost of living crisis.”
Ms Flanagan also said: “The events and festivals sector contributes significantly to our local economy and communities’ quality of life across Argyll and Bute, and is a key part of the economic recovery plan for the area.
“However, like other key sectors, it has faced significant challenges in the past three years as a consequence of Covid and the pandemic, skill shortages and the cost of living crisis.
“The council’s annual SEF funding plays a key role in the recovery of the sector with strong links to the hospitality and tourism industries.”