Coventry council reviews Godiva amid finance worries. Councillors scrutinize costs after funding shortfall and “over-inflated” claims.
The £330k boost was part of Labour’s budget. Last year’s festival ticket sales dropped, and the council overspent by £200k as a result. The 2024 festival had a suspected “stampede,” and underage drinking was also reported at the event. Tickets were introduced in 2019, yet the council overspent three times the prior year.
Godiva is called the UK’s largest family music festival. It has run for over twenty-five years. Conservatives proposed an “alternative” budget. It removed Labour’s £330k funding plan. This would keep the festival at its current level.
Deputy leader Peter Male called the boost a “bailout.” He asked for a review of the festival, which he said started as a local talent event. Now, costs are up and sales are down, he reported. He thinks the festival must pay its way and asked why taxpayers should cover the costs. Councillor John Blundell said people leave the city when the Godiva festival is on.
Blundell said the festival was once fantastic. Over time, it became “over-inflated,” he added. They chase big names, lose money, and need security. “Most festivals make a profit,” he stated. “Godiva is run to lose money now.” He claimed some people leave Coventry during Godiva, fearing intimidation and avoiding the park he suggested. The alternative plan failed to pass.
Council leader George Duggins said the criticism wasn’t clear. Finance member Richard Brown called the Tory plan “tokenism.” He said they’re “clutching at straws,” adding that the funding would “protect” Godiva’s “market.” Duggins stated they must always review Godiva festival.
Duggins confirmed a review after this year’s event. Every year they check the numbers carefully, and everything they do gets a review and evaluation. This is how they make improvements, he added. He was not sure if the criticisms were coherent and joked perhaps Elon Musk should look at it.