On Air Now

The Phill Hayward Show

10:00am - 2:00pm

Now Playing

‘’We realise we’re disruptive and we apologise’’ – Highest Point boss chats to Beyond Radio on eve of festival

The boss of Highest Point has apologised to local residents for the disruption the event causes, as anticipation builds ahead of the festival getting under way tomorrow.

Richard Dyer has told Beyond Radio that they are all ready to welcome thousands of people to Williamson Park for the annual event, with dozen of international music stars descending on the iconic venue, but recognised the upheaval caused to nearby residents.

Related:

The countdown to Highest Point is on

INTERVIEW: ‘We’re buzzing to be back’ – Highest Point organiser on musical superstars, multi-million-pound economy boost and the importance of charity

‘’Our team have been together (on site) since April 30th,’’ Richard told The Fishy and Foggy Show.

‘’There have been a few little changes, and it will look a bit different. We’ve also had fun trying to get the internet working!

‘’It’s such an interesting site to work on. It’s beautiful. It has its challenges too, and we’ve had to lock down resident access a bit more, we realise that’s disruptive and we apologise. We have to do it for safety reasons, and there are a lot of big trucks coming in and out (while we set up).

‘’A big thank you to everyone for being so understanding.’’

Click here to listen to Richard Dyer chatting to The Fishy and Foggy Show:

The festival provides a significant financial boost to the local area, as Richard explained.

‘’We had an economic study commissioned last year, after speaking to Lancaster City Council,’’ he said. ‘’It’s estimated that we generate more than £4m for the local economy.''

Revellers looking for somewhere to stay over the weekend may find rooms hard to find.

‘’Accommodation is also very busy with bookings in the area,’’ Richard added. ‘’People don’t realise how many people are on site, how many people have to stay over. This year a facility we usually use at the University of Cumbria isn’t available, and a major hotel chain in the city centre cancelled our bookings as the building is being used to house asylum seekers.

‘’’I fully support what they’re doing, but when you’re looking to accommodate the amount of people we do, I currently have 68 Air B&Bs on my account and counting!’’

Highest Point kicks off tomorrow, with Richard Ashcroft headlining the main stage, supported by Reverend and the Makers and The Lottery Winners.

More from Local News

Recently Played Songs