Big events in Cornwall next year may have to reschedule because of coronavirus
Tourism bosses say late summer or autumn would be best
Large-scale events and festivals in Cornwall may have to reschedule to the late summer or autumn to ensure they are safe.
Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said that while he was hopeful that events could be held in Cornwall next summer, bigger events like Boardmasters may have to be pushed back.
He made the comments after it was announced that the Royal Cornwall Show was being moved from its traditional June dates to September.
This year saw almost every event and festival in Cornwall cancelled due to the coronavirus restrictions.
It is too early to know whether events which are traditionally held throughout the year might be affected again in 2021.
Mr Bell said: “The big events like Boardmasters and Royal Cornwall Show, I do see the logic of moving them to September.”
He said that while he was “looking optimistically at summer being the new normal” he said it would be difficult for large events to be held with large crowds.
Mr Bell said that he hoped that small events could be up and running by Easter but said that he expected that would be limited to ticketed events where numbers can be controlled.
But he added: “For the mass events it is sensible to be talking late summer/September.”
Mr Bell said that he knew that many event organisers were already having conversations about whether they will be able to go ahead in 2021.
He added: “For small ticketed events they want to get moving as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Julian German, leader of Cornwall Council, said that by delaying events to late summer and autumn it could help in extending the tourism season.
“There is lots going on in the summer normally with the number of visitors that we have. If we can prolong the season, as we saw this year, into the autumn that will really help those businesses that have missed out this year and have a good year next year.”