Rochester Castle Concerts criticised by Labour councillor Alex Paterson
15:44, 02 March 2020
updated: 15:52, 02 March 2020
Medway Council will have questions to answer if this summer's Castle Concerts is a success.
This is according to Labour's Alex Paterson, a long-time critic of the authority's running of the event.
The Rochester councillor was speaking after this year's line-up was revealed on Friday.
For the first time, a private company has taken over the four-night festival, which will boast Jools Holland, The Libertines, UB40 and The Jacksons.
Cllr Paterson, who used to be a journalist, described the acts as "underwhelming and similar to Butlins".
But he says if promoter AGMP, which is getting the castle grounds for free, manage to make a success of it, Medway should explain why it lost £1.6m in previous years.
He feels organisers should have looked at a different format as the council's difficulties could be down to "doing the same thing over and over again".
He said: "Look at the Dickens Festival, it's exactly the same every year."
He praised nearby Rochester Cathedral for making changes and trying something new.
"If you compare it to the cathedral, people are flocking there now, for the moon exhibition or crazy golf because it's something different."
When asked what changes he would make to the concerts to make it a success, he suggested cutting attendance costs.
He's also wants more local acts involved and opportunities for local retailers to have stalls.
"It has become quite an expensive event over the last few years, with VIP tickets costing around £100," he said.
"It's not accessible for people and the whole event is a pricey night out."
On quizzing the council about the event, he added: "We've tried to ask before, but they've been opaque in their responses about the costs.
"However, if it's not a success, then the council stand accused of killing the event and dragging it on for too long, failing to realise what interests the public or noticing changes in the market.
"If it fails again this year, then I don't think there's any future for it."
Fellow Rochester councillor Stuart Tranter (Con) said: "As I have said on many occasions, I wish the new operator well and I hope everyone enjoys the concerts.
"No doubt Cllr Paterson will complain if the concerts are a success and he will complain if they are not.”
Medway Council declined to comment.
