Beachdown could be set to return in 2010

Festival goers who bought tickets to Brighton's cancelled Beachdown Festival which was due to held on August Bank Holiday have received emails offering them free entry to the festival to be held in 2010, according to local newspaper, The Argus, (here).

This year's event held in Devil's Dyke, Brighton, was cancelled just hours before it was due to start, and many festival goers were left out of pocket. Those that bought their tickets through major ticket vendors have already received a full refund but those who went to local agents are still waiting for news. The Beachdown festival directors have said that they have been working on plans to repay all ticket holders.

The directors have released a statement saying that new investment in the festival "may be forthcoming" and that Beachdown 2010 might now go ahead. The Beachdown directors have revealed that they had decided not to liquidate the company and are hoping to offer people a "full or partial refund or tickets to the 2010 festival."

Beachdown organisers have said that details of next year's event were "still under negotiation" and have not revealed who the potential new financial backers of the event are. The organisers would have to re-submit a licence application to the local Council as the 2009 licence was granted for one year only.

The Argus reports that there is great scepticism amongst those ticket holders waiting on a refund who believe that after this year's cancellation the festival will not be able to attract major acts or a large crowd.

For those who purchased tickets for the festival who have not yet had a refund, the festival's website says, "...those ticket holders who have been unable to obtain a refund from their Ticket Agency or Credit Card provider with a full or partial refund or tickets to the 2010 Festival, details of which are still under negotiation. Those ticket holders who have not yet contacted the company should e-mail their details and a copy of their proof of purchase to ticketinfo@beachdownfestival.com by 30th October 2009 to be considered. The Directors are continuing to do everything they can to ensure that all their commitments are met, and to return a successful festival to Brighton for 2010."

This year's festival was going to offer a weekend of new music with a few established bands offering indie and alternative music on one stage, and a re-creation of Brighton's club nights on another stage. The line-up included Grace Jones, Ocean Colour Scene, The Zutons, Laurent Garnier (live), Super Furry Animals, The Rakes, Saint Etienne, Grandmaster Flash, Prince Buster, The Fall, Ida Maria, and more.

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