Harrogate International Festivals has said the lack of certainty around the roadmap has dampened its confidence and raised questions about future events.

The four-week delay to the roadmap means Harrogate International Festivals (HIF) is having to decide whether to gamble or play it safe.

The charity's headline event, Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, is set to go ahead from July 22 which is three days after the new date for the end of restrictions.

So the HIF faces a dilemma - does it stay with a smaller event in line with current restrictions or does it gamble on all restrictions being over by then and sell more tickets.

But without insurance to cover any losses another change to the roadmap could mean HIF loses its investment.

With a "significantly lower" number of tickets sold and the extra costs to make it covid-safe, the event is already expensive for the charity.

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HIF isn't alone with many event companies, across the country, having to make difficult decisions.

Ms Canavar said it will wait for government assurances before adjusting its tiered ticket structure to increase capacity.