Family-run Nozstock festival ends after 26 years

Festivals are really stuggling, says Nozstock creative director Ella Nosworthy

A music festival that began as a barbecue event at a family farm in 1998 will entertain crowds for the final time this weekend.

"Festivals are really struggling," said Ella Nosworthy, creative director of Nozstock, which is taking place at a farm near Bromyard, Herefordshire, until Sunday.

People were not buying as many tickets as they used to due to the cost of living, she said, adding the price of tickets did not often cover the cost of staging the festival.

"The risk is so great now, it's such a risky business model," explained Ms Nosworthy, who said the new plan was to stage some one-day events, beginning in 2025.

The independent festival run by the Nosworthy family has hosted live music, comedy and family entertainment, with crowds of up to 5,000 people in attendance.

The final event features acts including Groove Armada, Utah Saints, Arrested Development and Boney M.

"I can't believe it's coming to an end really [after] 26 years," said Ms Nosworthy, adding it was "time for something different".

Events in future would not necessarily be music-focused and there could be comedy nights, "anything really", she said.