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10
Oct 2022
Major blow to hospitality sector as Harrogate loses 15-day festival
The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival is to be moved from Harrogate to Buxton after the organisers claimed the cost of the venue doubled.
The Royal Hall hosted the event annually from 2014, except when it was cancelled due to covid.
It attracted thousands of visitors from around the world and provided a major summer boost for Harrogate's hospitality sector.
But next year's 15-day event will be held at Buxton Opera House in Derbyshire from July 29 to August 12 instead.
Bernard Lockett, one of the festival organisers, said:
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An email from the organisers to festival supporters last week said Buxton Opera House, "pulled out every stop to accommodate the festival, ensuring a sustainable future for this important event".
The event moved to Harrogate in 2014.
The festival was first staged in Buxton in 1993 before moving to Harrogate. The email said:
The Stray Ferret has approached Harrogate Borough Council, which manages the Royal Hall, for comment.
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