City festival comes in £100k over budget

Gloucester Tall Ships Festival is held in the city every two years

Council chiefs have pledged to "get it right" next time after a festival came in £100,000 over budget.

Gloucester Tall Ships, held over the late May bank holiday at the city's historic docks, was not as successful as expected.

The confirmation of the large shortfall comes after council leaders agreed to review ticket prices after public feedback suggested that the event was "too expensive" for many families.

“We came in £100,000 worse than expected. Our costs were more or less what we did expect... but sponsorship and ticket sales were down," said city council cabinet member Declan Wilson.

“That’s something we are going to have to look at in greater detail and make sure we get right by the time we get to the next Tall Ships which will be in two years’ time,” he added.

The biannual three-day event celebrates the city's maritime history.

This year, six tall ships made the journey along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal before docking.

Although more than 17,000 people attended this year, many families said they felt priced out of the festival, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Phoenix, which featured in the Ridley Scott film Napoleon, was among the ships on display this year

Tickets which granted access to all the entertainment on land ranged from £8 for children and £14 for adults.

Those wanting to step onboard the various ships at the festival had to pay £19 for an adult ticket and £13 for a child ticket.

Children under six had free entry.