Rhythms of the World loses Hitchin Priory as venue

A Hertfordshire music event is seeking a new venue after the owner of its current site said it would not allow festivals to take place there.

The Rhythms of the World event has been held at Hitchin Priory for the past five years.

The owners, Chartridge Conference Company, said the decision was for "business reasons", but the summer's weather had "played a key part".

Organisers said they would "discuss options" for the future.

'Obviously disappointed'

Rhythms of the World is an annual festival of music, dance, art and cuisine from around the world, which has seen more than 30,000 visitors attend the two-day event.

Running since 1992, it moved to the Hitchin Priory in 2008 after it became too expensive to hold in the town centre.

Organiser Gill Hannington said: "We are obviously disappointed by the news, but the organising committee will be meeting over the coming weeks to discuss options for the festival in the future."

Barry Wilson from Chartridge said: "Providing the venue for such an amazing community festival has been a huge undertaking for our team at Hitchin Priory.

"However, we have taken the difficult business decision not to hold any festivals at Hitchin Priory for the foreseeable future."