News: Organisers call time on Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival
Having warned for a number of years that the charity event may be the last, the organisers have confirmed that the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is not sustainable and will not be held in 2025.
Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London.
Usually attracting over 5,000 people to the Magna Science and Adventure Centre in Rotherham, proceeds from the festival are used to support the work of local charities. In recent years, the Rotherham Cancer Care Centre.
Rothbiz reported at the start of 2024 that the event had been hit by an increase in prices and a drop in sponsorship. Not wanting to pass on the rising costs to festival goers, organisers said that they would no longer continue if ticket sales continued to decrease.
A post to social media has confirmed that the event lost money for the third year in a row.
The post reads: "It is with deep regret that we have decided not to hold the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival in 2025. Over the past few years the costs of holding the event have increased, coupled with lower numbers of people attending which unfortunately meant that last year we were in a position that if we didn't see a significant increase in people attending, it would have to be our last.
"Numbers last year fell again and with the ever increasing costs we lost money for the third year in a row. This is unfortunately not sustainable and we have had to make the tough decision to shelve the festival for the time being."
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The post went on to thank organisers, volunteers and Magna, adding: "From a small festival at Oakwood School to what we became in our pomp at Magna, it's been a hell of a ride. Thanks to everyone who joined us for it."
2025 is still set to be a big year for beer lovers as Rotherham is set to host CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival in February. The Campaign for Real Ale is promising a variety of beers, ciders, perries and gin at Magna, where visitors can also enjoy a range of entertainment and food throughout the week.
The Great British Beer Festival Winter will boast a large selection of dark ales and winter brews, alongside a range of light and hoppy beers for visitors to try.
GBBF Winter organiser Andrew Taylor said: “The Magna Science Adventure Centre offers us an impressive space to ensure a fantastic festival for visitors from across the country. Whether you enjoy a stout or a session ale, there’ll be something for everyone to try.”
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Vice-Chairman said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring the Great British Beer Festival Winter to Rotherham. We can’t wait to welcome a host of breweries to a large venue fit for a national festival, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing everyone there.”
Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival website
GBBF Winter website
Images: CAMRA
Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London.
Usually attracting over 5,000 people to the Magna Science and Adventure Centre in Rotherham, proceeds from the festival are used to support the work of local charities. In recent years, the Rotherham Cancer Care Centre.
Rothbiz reported at the start of 2024 that the event had been hit by an increase in prices and a drop in sponsorship. Not wanting to pass on the rising costs to festival goers, organisers said that they would no longer continue if ticket sales continued to decrease.
A post to social media has confirmed that the event lost money for the third year in a row.
The post reads: "It is with deep regret that we have decided not to hold the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival in 2025. Over the past few years the costs of holding the event have increased, coupled with lower numbers of people attending which unfortunately meant that last year we were in a position that if we didn't see a significant increase in people attending, it would have to be our last.
"Numbers last year fell again and with the ever increasing costs we lost money for the third year in a row. This is unfortunately not sustainable and we have had to make the tough decision to shelve the festival for the time being."
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The post went on to thank organisers, volunteers and Magna, adding: "From a small festival at Oakwood School to what we became in our pomp at Magna, it's been a hell of a ride. Thanks to everyone who joined us for it."
2025 is still set to be a big year for beer lovers as Rotherham is set to host CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival in February. The Campaign for Real Ale is promising a variety of beers, ciders, perries and gin at Magna, where visitors can also enjoy a range of entertainment and food throughout the week.
The Great British Beer Festival Winter will boast a large selection of dark ales and winter brews, alongside a range of light and hoppy beers for visitors to try.
GBBF Winter organiser Andrew Taylor said: “The Magna Science Adventure Centre offers us an impressive space to ensure a fantastic festival for visitors from across the country. Whether you enjoy a stout or a session ale, there’ll be something for everyone to try.”
Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA Vice-Chairman said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring the Great British Beer Festival Winter to Rotherham. We can’t wait to welcome a host of breweries to a large venue fit for a national festival, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing everyone there.”
Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival website
GBBF Winter website
Images: CAMRA
16 comments:
As it not just been replaced by the Camra winter festival this year?
They just need to find a suitable small venue, the problem is it got too big and Magna lost the event its charm.
That's what it seems like to me, the winter festival is already arranged, and I don't think another one could be sustained.
Completely agree, I didn't like the event at magna, whilst you can get more people in the overheads will be higher.
The article states the aim of the festival was to support charity, but then later states they have lost money for 3 years in a row, so I'm unclear how this supported anyone?
Would have been a similar time of year and seen as though attendance as dropped makes more sense to shelve it.
You include but ignore the word "aim" in your post.
The "aim" was to support charity, but they ran at a loss for 3 years. So my take would be they did not learn from previous events how to run the event to budget. At best they were incompetent, at worst dishonest for promoting under the guise of a charitable event.
How will Chantry win awards now?
So for 3 years did nothing go to charity?....That doesn't sound good.
If them units are still free at Forge island -they could be put to go use as a one off!
That's a bit uncharitable
I expect they'll cross that bridge when they come to it.
I see what you did there.
Take a bow, you are only the forth person to spot that.
Ooh that's good.
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