An expected crowd of 8,500 was left disappointed this weekend (25 July) with the abrupt cancellation of Colchester-based I Am Music Festival. 

“Serious health and safety issues” led to Colchester Borough Council cancelling the one-day festival mere hours before it was due to start. 

Colchester Borough Council’s statement, posted on its Facebook page, has been the only in-detail word on why the festival didn’t go ahead. It reads: “Even though the organisers had the support of the Safety Advisory group, who have been trying to resolve a variety of issues for some time, they have been unable to meet the criteria of providing a safe event. 

“The problems involve security and safety regulations, including inadequate or no provision for emergency lighting, toilets on site, security staff and security fencing (which in turn means the stage cannot be assembled), with no evidence provided to mitigate any individual issue,” the statement continued. 

“Subsequently, the council and the police have agreed the festival is not safe to go ahead.”

The organisers, I Am Music Community Group, posted only a short message on the festival’s site stating that the event was “postponed due to circumstances beyond our control.”

They haven’t responded to requests for comment. Access is keen to hear from anyone affected – you can tweet us with any information. 

In lieu of contact from the organisers, ticketholders have taken to the festival’s Facebook page to demand answers. Tickets ranged from £45-85, and many are calling for full refunds – though none seem to have heard back from the I Am Music Community Group. 

Access is following the story closely, so check back here for updates from organisers and fans. 

Photo: Disappointed members of the Debbie Millar School of Dance, who were due to perform at the I Am Music Festival.
Credit: Sally Swaine
 

 

Have a story for Access All Areas? Email or tweet Emma Hudson

 

An expected crowd of 8,500 was left disappointed this weekend (25 July) with the abrupt cancellation of Colchester-based I Am Music Festival. 

“Serious health and safety issues” led to Colchester Borough Council cancelling the one-day festival mere hours before it was due to start. 

Colchester Borough Council’s statement, posted on its Facebook page, has been the only in-detail word on why the festival didn’t go ahead. It reads: “Even though the organisers had the support of the Safety Advisory group, who have been trying to resolve a variety of issues for some time, they have been unable to meet the criteria of providing a safe event. 

“The problems involve security and safety regulations, including inadequate or no provision for emergency lighting, toilets on site, security staff and security fencing (which in turn means the stage cannot be assembled), with no evidence provided to mitigate any individual issue,” the statement continued. 

“Subsequently, the council and the police have agreed the festival is not safe to go ahead.”

The organisers, I Am Music Community Group, posted only a short message on the festival’s site stating that the event was “postponed due to circumstances beyond our control.”

They haven’t responded to requests for comment. Access is keen to hear from anyone affected – you can tweet us with any information. 

In lieu of contact from the organisers, ticketholders have taken to the festival’s Facebook page to demand answers. Tickets ranged from £45-85, and many are calling for full refunds – though none seem to have heard back from the I Am Music Community Group. 

Access is following the story closely, so check back here for updates from organisers and fans. 

Photo: Disappointed members of the Debbie Millar School of Dance, who were due to perform at the I Am Music Festival.
Credit: Sally Swaine
 

 

Have a story for Access All Areas? Email or tweet Emma Hudson