Southampton's arts, culture and music festival, EjectorSeat, which was scheduled for June 14, has been cancelled due to "an unsuccessful funding application".

 

 

On the EjectorSeat Facebook page, Festival Co-ordinator Mac Ince wrote:

 

“I am really sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news, and it is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you. Sadly we have to cancel this year's festival due to us being unsuccessful with a major funding application.

 

“Despite the various income sources that we've developed with food vendors, contractors, in-kind donations and sponsors the costs of the festival are too high for us to put it on without the help of funding.

“It has been great to hear from many of you about the value you place on the festival, and how much it means to the local community, and we look forward with a positive light and hope that we are able to deliver another great festival for next year.”

 

The festival was to have taken place in Palmerston Park and included free arts events, from workshops and music to film and spoken word for all ages.

 

Commenting on the Facebook announcement, ‪Dave Theprotoolsguy Phillips said: “It's a big shame that council won't step in and support... the council that was bidding for Southampton to be a city of the arts. Last years festival was one of the best days of the year - bringing arts people, people and families out into the park for a day of great music in interesting stuff. Somethings are worth more than money.”

Chris Horton commented: "This is really sad news mate. Obviously I don't know the ins and outs of the funding application but I struggle to believe a city as large as Southampton cannot get something so culturally important like this happening every year."

A similar situation occurred in 2012 when the festival was cancelled due to an unsuccessful funding application.