Significant drop in city park concert ticket sales

Derby City Council figures show 6,203 tickets were sold for this year's Darley Park Weekender compared to the 11,000 sold in 2024

Derby City Council has released new figures showing a significant drop in ticket sales for this year's annual Darley Park Weekender.

Figures provided to BBC News show just more than 6,000 tickets were sold for this year's three-day series of concerts from 29 to 31 August, down on 11,000 in 2024 and 15,000 in 2023.

The BBC understands about 3,000 people attended the Sunday night concert, which, when it was a free event, once attracted up to 35,000 people in 2015.

Council leader Nadine Peatfield said music events across the country were struggling due to rising production costs and the cost of living.

The council-run event included performances from Bananarama, Heather Small, East 17 and Sinfonia Viva this year.

"We anticipated a decrease in sales for the Darley Park Weekender compared to last year," said Peatfield.

"It's a challenging time for outdoor music events across the country due to rising production costs and the cost of living. We also acknowledge last year's event fell short of expectations in some areas."

During 2024's event, numerous complaints were made about long bar queues, heavy-handed security and a generator and wi-fi going down.

Peatfield apologised afterwards and said the restrictions were part of recommendations by safety advisory groups.

Darley Park Weekender took place from 29 to 31 August

"This year, our primary focus was on listening to customer feedback and enhancing the experience to ensure everyone had a fantastic time.

"We're delighted that feedback from this year's event was overwhelmingly positive.

"Looking ahead, we remain committed to offering a vibrant programme of events in the city, aiming to provide diverse and engaging experiences for all our residents and visitors," Peatfield said.

Penny Jackson, 39, from Allestree in Derby, attended the event on Sunday and said she missed the previous "relaxed evening picnic atmosphere".

"I don't mind paying a couple of quid for entry but the airport-style security and change of location have completely ruined the atmosphere of the event," she said.

Ms Jackson said the choir, theatre group and orchestra "were all fantastic" but said it was a "pity that the venue has been ruined".

Jules and Ian Thom now listen to the concert from outside the gates at Darley Park

Jules Thom, 72, from Derby, says she still goes to Darley Park for the event but decides to sit outside the fences with her husband Ian, instead of going inside.

"We used to go. All my family came, it was a fantastic day out," said Mrs Thom.

"All of a sudden it changed with rules and regulations with what you can and can't take in and we were fenced in. We just said 'no we're not doing it and we won't do it again'.

"It's not about the money, it's not about paying to get in but as long as those fences are up, I will not be going. I'd just like to see them come down."

'Washout weather'

Rachel Ainsworth, originally from Draycott but now lives in Florida in the US, said she had flown back to Derby especially for the Darley Park Weekender for the past two years.

"I thoroughly enjoyed both times I have been and in general I felt it was just as good as last year," she said.

The 54-year-old believes the weather could have had an impact on the ticket numbers for this year's event.

"I'm wondering if the numbers were due to weather because the weekend looked like it was going to be a washout," she said.

"I didn't feel there was as many food trucks this year and I do feel there might be more participation from the audience if alcoholic beverages were allowed to be brought in."

Derby City Council has scheduled next year's event to take place from 21 to 23 August 2026 but has not yet confirmed pricing or purchasing details.

Derby City Council has scheduled the event for next August but has not confirmed ticket prices