More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An announcement on the future of one of the county's most popular music festivals is expected next week.
The Rochester Castle Concerts were due to be held on July 8-11, before the lockdown was announced in March.
This year Jools Holland, The Libertines, The Jacksons, and original members of UB40 were lined up to perform.
Speculation about the event has been rife with several other events cancelling because of coronavirus measures.
These have included Tom Jones at the Hop Farm and Little Mix in Canterbury.
It has been revealed today that promoters AGMP will be releasing a statement next week explaining the situation.
A source close to the event has told KentOnline it is highly likely it will be rescheduled for next year.
Although a cancellation has not yet been officially confirmed – and tickets remain on sale – organisers "are not expecting it to go ahead".
The promoters have reportedly been waiting for the latest government guidelines before making a formal announcement.
The long-running concerts have experienced troubled times in recent years.
Last year's event was marred by the no-show of Jess Glynne who pulled out due to ill health, leaving organisers facing mounting losses.
In the past two years there has also been criticism about a decision to ban people from bringing their own alcohol with them, although it was on sale "at pub prices" around the venue.
Earlier this year it was announced AGMP was taking over the event after Medway Council decided to outsource it.
The local authority has previously announced that all of its summer events – including the Medway Mile and Dickens 150 Festival – have been cancelled.
