Popular events could be cancelled after a council rolled out fresh charges to use its land – prompting fears a town could lose hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Concerns are mounting that organisers could be forced to pull the plug on Sandwich’s annual Christmas funfair, Second World War commemoration festival and others.

It comes as Dover District Council (DDC) last year introduced parking bay suspension levies across the district, including The Quay, where motorists pay £1.80 per hour for spaces.

Traditionally, the authority has allowed organisers to hold events on the land, which encompasses 37 spaces, for free.

Simon Mallett, organiser for Sandwich Salutes the 40s, a three-day commemoration event which attracts some 5,000 revellers each May Day bank holiday, pleaded with the authority to scrap the scheme.

“More than £200,000 income generated for Sandwich businesses is at risk if the festivals, which are led and run entirely on a voluntary basis, cease to run,” he recently wrote in a letter.

“As to 2026, I do wonder if all the events that have brought so many people into Sandwich will continue when faced with an initial cost of thousands of pounds before even starting.”

District councillor Dan Friend (Con) also hit out at the move, which could generate the council revenue worth tens of thousands of pounds.

“The introduction of parking bay suspension charges alone will add hundreds, if not thousands, to event costs,” he said.

“The new policy charges make the funfair at the popular Christmas lights switch-on unviable due to these additional financial burdens.”

Sandwich Salutes displays Second World War military vehicles and even fighter planes during its events, with the next billed from May 3 to 5,before the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8 - the end of the war in Europe.

It currently pays the council about £180 for rent with the site’s 37 parking spaces being used for free.

If these charges go ahead with costs for using spaces and a £40 event fee its bill would add up to exactly £1,074.80, half the group’s budget last year.

Mr Mallett called the new fees “devastating news” which will “completely undermine” a major part of its free event.

His letter added: “This event, along with all others in Sandwich generates numbers of visitors by car that 100% fill the parking spaces through the town.

“Clearly this has no negative impact whatsoever on parking income. On the contrary, it increases it.”

He argued Sandwich Salutes rakes in some £75,000 for businesses, a similar figure to Le Weekend, a French-themed activity in the town every summer.

He believes another event, the Folk and Ale festival, would be hit by about £1,000 in extra costs through these new costs.

Cllr Friend further explained: “Unlike other towns Sandwich does not have a central space large enough to base our events.

“Sandwich is famous for community events that bring in thousands of visitors to our local area, supporting businesses and showcasing our wonderful town.

“A one-size-fits-all policy simply does not work for Sandwich.

“Our events are not confined to a single space, they weave and flow through our streets, drawing people into the heart of our town.

“ If the policies are not reconsidered, we risk losing the very events that help make our medieval town of Sandwich a unique destination and sustain our local economy.

“The long term impact of the newly introduced charges will be devastating.”

On March 3, district council cabinet members could approve a fresh policy, whereby reduced rates will be offered to not-for-profit community groups.

If given the green light, they will be offered a £75 admin fee rather than £155 for commercial organisers.

The council officers’ report to the cabinet says: “To recognise the loss of income and the cost to the council of setting up bay suspensions, whilst continuing to encourage and support local events, it is proposed that the charges for bay suspensions for events are split.

“This is to recognise different charging levels for commercial requirements and for non-profit events to support community events across the district.

“The council commits to continuing to work with organisers to support delivery of community events.

“This includes optimising the location and use of space required to minimise the number of bays needed, and therefore

minimising the charges incurred.”

A spokesperson for DDC said: “We do appreciate the valuable work of local event organisers and have been liaising with this community group and are inviting them in to explore ways forward.

“Parking bay suspension charges were introduced for events as part of the new events policy last year.

“However we are looking at a community and charity rate for parking bay suspensions for events, and have offered a much more cost-effective way forward for this group.”