Diwali festival cancelled due to 'funding freeze'

Festive lights previously lit up roads in Birmingham including Soho Road

Birmingham Diwali Mela festival has been cancelled this year as organisers face a "funding freeze".

The Soho Road Business Improvement District (BID) said it was unable to proceed with planned community events and services, after an appeal was lodged against a successful ballot for the organisation to continue for a third term.

Cancelling the festival was a "direct consequence" of the funding withdrawal and represented a setback to "cultural pride", the BID said.

"The BID extends its deepest apologies to the thousands of residents, visitors, and businesses who have come to cherish these celebrations," it said.

Thousands of people gather at the public event in Birmingham each year to celebrate Diwali, with lights filling roads like Soho Road and Holyhead Road.

The festival falls on 1 November this year.

"For a decade, the Birmingham Diwali Mela has been a cornerstone of cultural expression in the area," the BID said.

It said the cancellation would include the "iconic festive lights that have traditionally illuminated Soho Hill, Soho Road, and Holyhead Road during Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Eid, Christmas, and New Year celebrations".

Bob Balu, chair of the BID, said it had only cancelled previously because of the Covid pandemic

The BID called on stakeholders to support the reinstatement of the festival and resolve the funding "issue".

"We urge those responsible for this challenge to reconsider their actions and prioritise the greater good of the community," the body added.

Bob Balu, chair of the BID, told the BBC people would be disappointed and he believed there would be "uproar" over the cancellation.

"It's totally annoying, it would have been our 10th anniversary. The only time we had to cancel previously was due to Covid," he said.

"We've had letters received today from religious organisations who are really upset because the Diwali Mela is Birmingham's and the community is going to be really upset."

BIDs are business-led partnerships which are created through a ballot process.

They charge a fee on eligible firms for up to five years to fund projects that benefit local businesses.