Organiser 'gutted' over balloon festival refusal

One of the organisers of the Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta said he was "gutted" after being denied permission to hold the event in York.

This year's fiesta was due to take place at the city's Knavesmire site on the last weekend in September but permission was denied by tourism organisation Make it York, which manages the land on behalf of City of York Council.

Make it York said the balloon fiesta would not meet Safety Advisory Group requirements, citing traffic management and licensing as concerns.

But organiser John Lowery said: "We have got a history of doing that work and proving that we have done highways and environmental health."

The festival, which began in 2017, had been held at York Racecourse before it switched to Castle Howard in 2023. The event did not take place in 2024.

Mr Lowery said organisers had been keen to hold the event at Knavesmire.

"Yesterday we found out that we were unsuccessful and there would be no event," Mr Lowery said.

"I'm gutted. As a York person, for me there's no better feeling than being on that stage and seeing thousands of people happy and enjoying themselves."

Mr Lowery said organisers had tried to keep prices down and had previously worked with food banks to offer free tickets.

"A lot of people can't afford to go to these festivals and concerts so it's a real shame that something affordable can't happen in the city," he said.

Mr Lowery said with regards to concerns about traffic and licensing, the team behind the event had "been there, we've done all that".

He added: "We spent £25,000 the last time we were there doing traffic.

"We have never had any trouble with traffic for the last two years."

Mr Lowery said it was too late to find an alternative venue for this year but he said he was hopeful for next year.

"We won't give up," he added.

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