Council leader pledges improvements to park concert

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

Derby City Council's leader has vowed the Darley Park Weekender will be "bigger and better" next year following a significant drop in ticket sales for the 2025 event.

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

Council leader Nadine Peatfield revealed concert staff had been left "broken" and "mortified" by complaints about the 2024 event, for which she later issued an apology.

After questions were raised over whether an event would go ahead next year, Peatfield said it will return "bigger and better".

"Next year we are going to change the format a little bit, play around with the performances, maybe a bigger name, a bigger attraction," she said.

"We want to really entertain our city and put on something we can all be proud of."

When asked if this year's event, which included performances from Bananarama, Heather Small and East 17, had made a loss, the council leader said: "When we know, we can tell you."

When asked again if there was potential the event lost money, Peatfield replied: "Potentially, yes."

"We have a budget for entertainment and vibrancy for our city, it's important for everybody we celebrate our city and have spaces and places to have fun," she added.

"The positivity from this year proves why we need to keep providing this really important event as part of our city's diary."

'Unrestricted days gone'

Feedback from the event said "airport-style security" and change of location in Darley Park had "completely ruined the atmosphere of the event".

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

Peatfield said that kind of atmosphere would not be returning.

"It's never going to be like it used to be, sadly," said the council leader.

"I remember when my kids were little, we could rock up with a picnic blanket, a few chairs and enjoy it on the hillside without restrictions. Unfortunately those days are gone.

"When you have music events across the country, like these, you need to have health and safety considerations, police put restrictions in that we have to meet."

Darley Park Weekender took place from 29 to 31 August

Peatfield said she had acknowledged mistakes that had been made and that this year was "so much better" as a result of listening to feedback.

"I'm really proud of the Derby Live team that have worked so hard. Last year they were all mortified and gutted at the responses," she added.

"It really broke them, and this year I am so proud of them."

Peatfield said she "anticipated a decrease" in sales for this year's event and said music events across the country were struggling due to rising production costs and the cost of living.

"It is what it is, we knew we were going to take a hit. We'll come back bigger and better next year," she said.

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.