Businesses blames music festival for revenue losses up to £1m, tell me about this news in (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5yjjwepp03o)

The report covers concerns raised by local businesses in Portsmouth regarding the financial and operational impact of the annual Victorious Festival, held over the August bank holiday weekend on Southsea Common. The discussion took place during a Portsmouth City Council meeting evaluating whether to draft new 10-year contracts for the event running until 2036.

Key Complaints from Local Businesses

• Clarence Pier: Jimmy Norman, the director of Clarence Pier, told councillors that the attraction has lost over £900,000 (nearly £1m) in revenue over the past decade. He highlighted the closure of Clarence Esplanade as a major factor and suggested either moving the festival to a different weekend or changing the layout so the seafront remains accessible, though he noted he does not want the festival to leave Portsmouth entirely.

• Clarence Pier Arcades (The Big Blue Ticket Company): Owners reported being heavily disrupted by road closures, parking restrictions, and overall friction that deters regular visitors, calling for a thorough impact assessment.

• The Coffee Cup: Adam Parsons reported a significant negative impact on customer numbers and supported moving the event away from a peak bank holiday weekend.

• Blue Reef Aquarium: Representatives shared that staff regularly had to dispute entry with security personnel just to allow customers with pre-booked tickets through checkpoints to reach the venue.

Response from the Festival and Supporters

• Victorious Festival Organisers: Co-founder and managing director James Ralls stated that the festival team actively tries to work with nearby traders, but claimed that certain businesses refuse to collaborate and instead simply demand compensation.

• Coastal Kitchen: Local business owner Lucy Branson defended the festival, noting that proactive businesses can adapt and find commercial opportunities, citing the phrase “a rising tide lifts all boats.”

Council Position and Overall Impact

• Council officials explained that road closures and security barriers are mandated by police guidelines and counter-terrorism legislation rather than festival preference alone.

• Council leader Steve Pitt stated that the local authority and festival organisers remain willing to work proactively with concerned traders, provided conversations happen with an open mind.

• Despite the friction with certain seafront venues, council records show the festival has brought a £159m overall economic boost to Portsmouth since moving to the Southsea seafront in 2014, donated over £926,000 to charity, and drew approximately 80,000 attendees to the area.