Weston Air Festival 2023 scrapped amid cost of living crisis

The world-famous Red Arrows returned to the festival in 2022

A popular air show attended by around 200,000 people this summer has been scrapped in 2023.

North Somerset Council said it could not afford the £135,000 subsidy the Weston-super-Mare event needs.

"We don't feel this is reasonable at a time of cost of living pressures on our budgets and those of households.

"We are always open to new events for visitors but we are no longer in a position to routinely subsidise these at the expense of taxpayers," it said.

The festival returned this summer after a hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The free event was part of the resort's summer calendar

Although the event was popular, councillor Mike Bell said it had "struggled" for years due to rising costs and a lack of aircraft available for display.

"Local traders reported that most of the economic benefit was felt by stallholders who came in for the festival rather than our businesses.

"So it isn't a case of never again, but it isn't feasible right now.

"The council faces extra costs of more than £33m next year due to energy cost pressures, inflation, social care, children's services and waste service demands.

"We just cannot do everything and some things have to give way," he said.

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