Punk festival promoter "angry" after funding bid gets thumbs down from Morecambe Town Council

Tuesday, 17 May 2022 11:39

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

The Nice n Sleazy punk festival has been running in Morecambe since 2006.

A punk festival promoter says he is "angry" after his bid for funding was turned down by Morecambe Town Council.

Ivan Harrison, organiser of the annual Nice 'n' Sleazy punk festival, has been told by the council that his application for £8,000 in grant funding has been rejected.

Mr Harrison, a taxi driver from Morecambe, who has been running his punk festival in the town since 2006, was told he would be given a reason for the rejection in due course.

He has appealed against the decision and said he was "disappointed" to have been turned down for funding.

Nice 'n' Sleazy, the longest-running music festival in Morecambe, will take place from June 1 to 4 with live music from The Exchange and the Trimpell Club.

"We've had to make cutbacks but hopefully people won't notice them," said Mr Harrison.

"It's disappointing. In the past when I've put in for a grant, you go and meet the council, and if there's a problem, they tell you the issue, which is a fair way of going about it. I'm angry. Why's it taking so long for them to tell me why I haven't got a grant?"

We asked Morecambe Town Council why the Nice 'n' Sleazy application had been refused.

Luke Trevaskis, proper officer for the town council, said:

"Whilst the council cannot disclose which organisations have applied for funding so far this year, the Festival and Events Committee has met this month to approve its first tranche of applications and offer letters have been submitted to successful organisations doing some great work across our community. Announcements will be made in due course about which exciting projects the council will be supporting over the next twelve months.

"As with previous years, all local organisations are invited to apply for a share of the available funding to help cover the costs of any event they may be planning, and grant applications can be made up to 18 months in advance of any project. Application forms can be downloaded at http://www.morecambe.gov.uk/blog/2021/01/07/festivals-sponsorships-and-events."

He also said:

"Morecambe Town Council is pleased to be investing over £100,000 in festivals and events in Morecambe this year - with an increased budget for grants, marketing, and staffing.

"Since lockdown restrictions have eased, the council has already organised some of the largest events across the district with Dino-Shore-Us and Spring into Morecambe attracting over 15,000 attendees.

"Our next event will be held on June 2 on the Stone Jetty as we light Morecambe's Beacon to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, followed by a spectacular firework display expected to attract over 20,000 visitors.

"We will also be bringing people together to host Morecambe's Big Lunch on June 5, with the event proving so popular that there is only one table still available!"

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