City festival Wolvestock axed over poor sales

Wolverhampton's annual country music festival was due to be held on July 26 and 27 in what would have been its 20th anniversary year.

But Wolverhampton City Council today pulled the plug on the two-day festival due to poor advance ticket sales.

Bosses said people who had already bought tickets for the event, which takes place at the Civic and Wulfrun Halls could request a face value refund.

Mark Blackstock, the council's outdoor events manager, said: "We are sad to announce that Wolvestock will not be taking place this year.

"The event has been very popular over the last two decades and, in its heyday, attracted thousands of people to East Park.

"However, last year, there had been a huge drop in attendance figures compared with previous events.

"As a result of this, we moved the event to the Civic Halls for this year which would be more suitable for a smaller audience.

"But the pre-sale figures are extremely low and holding the event is no longer feasible so, unfortunately, we have no option but to cancel the event."

Last year, thousands of lovers of country music attended the two-day event.

A statement regarding the cancellation was posted on the Wolverhampton Civic Hall website this afternoon.

It said: "We are sorry to announce that Wolvestock 2014 has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Face value refunds are available at point of purchase on return of tickets."

Wolvestock, which started life as a free festival, used to be held open-air in Hickman Park in Bilston and then East Park.

However, there had been fears it might not survive the city council's £123 million cutbacks which were announced earlier this year.

Traders at last year's event at East Park said they had been hit by a drop in takings and claimed the number of visitors to the once-popular attraction had dropped.

They blamed the new £6 entry fee, which was introduced in a bid to raise £10,000 from the festival.

Another price rise was brought in this year, with day tickets for the 2014 festival advertised at £11 and weekend passes for £18.

Secure camping for this year's event, which had promised three stages of musical entertainment, was going to be provided in West Park.

Bands lined up for the 2014 Wolvestock included the Lisa Stanley Band, John Taylor Band, The Breeze and Quill Band of Joy.

Many fans sport cowboy hats, boots and gun holsters for the festival, which attracts performers from both Britain and the United States.