Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival scaling back plans for 2021 due to coronavirus
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THE Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is scaling back plans for 2021 amid fears that coronavirus social distancing restrictions are likely to remain in place for months to come.
And it has taken the decision it cannot sustain the current level of staffing and its events co-ordinator, Lauren Mustard, will leave the organisation in November.
Chairman James Campbell said the festival, which was cancelled earlier this year due to Covid-19, said a "worrying second spike" was bad news for businesses and the festival.
"Up until six or eight weeks ago things were looking much more promising and the lockdown seemed to have gone a long way to reducing the virus numbers and as things started to re-open, we were starting to plan for our 2021 festival," he said.
"However, the events of the last few weeks and what looks like a worrying second spike not only affecting the UK but many countries around the world has not only been very bad news for you and your business but also for the festival.
"It looks as if social distancing is now going to be with us for quite some time and there seems little hope of the festival staging our opening dinner and opening ceilidh."
Mr Campbell said the board feels it should plan on a "smaller but still brilliant festival in 2021".
He said the festival had taken a substantial loss in the last year, with 11 months of staffing, marketing and other overheads to promote and then sell over £250,000 of tickets before having to cancel.
"The festival has built up reserves over the last eight years and we have been able to cope with and minimise our loss thanks to the incredible support and generosity of all of our partners and members who have paid their full year’s fees despite the cancellation, for which our board is extremely grateful.
"Going forward to 2021 with a scaled down Festival we are still facing a loss for the year if we do not take steps to reduce our overheads."
Mr Campbell the said UK Government furlough scheme had been a great help but with a smaller festival it could not continue with the same level of staffing.
It is still hoped to stage a number of virtual events in the coming months ahead of the festival next April.
In a message to member businesses, Mr Campbell added: "Hopefully, by the time we all work our way through to the ticket launch for the festival in the Spring there will be some daylight on the horizon for your business and for Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2021 and we will all come back stronger than ever."
