Cancelled: York Festival Of Angels scuppered by lack of cash
One of York’s best-loved modern traditions, the Festival Of Angels, has been cancelled owing to a shortage of funds.
Little more than a week after confirming the dates of this year’s festival, founder Magdalena Chavez has told YorkMix: “Sadly it’s off.”
The festival, held in York’s Quarter, around Swinegate, Back Swinegate and Grape Lane, was due to go ahead on the weekend of December 13 and 14, 2014. The wintry celebration of all things frosty, featuring ice sculptures, fake snow, food, drink and stalls was a popular pre-Christmas treat for both residents and tourists.
Magdalena, who runs the restaurant El Piano, said a shortage of money was to blame, and felt City of York Council could have done more to support an event which brings in many visitors.
The council in turn said it did support the festival and is willing to discuss how to move things forward in the long term.
Magdalena told us: “No one is interested in doing it except El Piano and regrettably we don’t have the £10,000 it would cost to put it on. City of York Council took it off us some years ago, as you may know, and now no longer wish to continue with it.
“I think this is a great shame, and a mistake. It has always been a terrific draw bringing many extra people into the city which has economic benefits.”
About more than money
She said the festival brought more to the city than just economic benefits. “Above all, Festival Of Angels brings something wonderful into people’s lives at a time of year when many families are so stressed.
“A wander through the streets without having to dig deep in the pocket for everyone to be enchanted is priceless.
“While it would be hard to quantify I can’t help wondering if this magical event might not have saved time and money for police, social services, marriage guidance and countless other agencies that mop up our lives when we get to the point where we just have too many stresses to cope.”
Magdalena said other traders who have previously taken part are “understandably disheartened”.
“One can’t blame them for not wanting to pay for the Festival of Angels and then also pay the council for the privilege of staging the Festival of Angels.
“York Festival of Food and Drink is another prime example. Not only do YFFD receive nothing from the council, not even staff support during the event, they have to pay thousands to occupy the public spaces in order to bring an event to York that benefits everyone.
“Someone in York council – or more likely a number of someones – are not thinking through the benefits to York of events.”
Traders ‘take income cut’
Magdalena said a lot of businesses had seen their incomes fall.
“On a more human level, many traders have remarked to me that they hear a lot of [council] officers pleading poverty and cuts yet know that these same officers are still receiving their salaries.
“By contrast many traders have taken huge personal cuts in income in order to maintain their staff in post with ever increasing costs, many of these costs being to the local authority.
“From an El Piano perspective it’s disappointing that both the council and local traders are stuck in short term thinking about events.
“Arguably it’s this type of short term thinking that has contributed to the economic situation that we find ourselves in.”
‘We have supported the festival’
Gill Cooper, head of culture, tourism and the city centre, said: “It is disappointing that the Festival Of Angels won’t run this year, especially as it was set up originally by those businesses in the Quarter who benefit most from it.
“The council has supported the festival for a number of years free of charge and we remain willing to discuss how we can help and move things forward in the long term alongside our current programme of festivals which add so much to our vibrant city centre.”
‘Stronger and better Christmas’
The Festival Of Angels, which has run for 14 years, now brings in a lot of tourists. When this story went live at least one tour operator was advertising coach trips to the city on the back of it.
Kate McMullen, head of Visit York, said it was disappointing to lose the festival “and we hope a solution to running this event can be found for the future.
“However, we’re confident of offering a stronger and better Christmas festival in York than ever before.
“This year will see a step change in York’s offer, where for the first time the popular St Nicholas Fair, organised by City of York Council in Parliament street, will run for a full 25 days from Thursday 27th November through to Sunday 21st December.
“In addition to this a host of festive events at York’s visitor attractions, as well as the new-look market, Made In Yorkshire Festive Fayre at the medieval Guildhall and the Festive Market at Barley Hall, will all go to make up York’s new St Nicholas Christmas Festival programme.”
My husband and I booked our weekend to York months ago, to come to the ice angel festival. We only realised that it was not happening when we could not find any sculptures, we were very upset to realise it wasn’t on. I Think it is a terrible mistake on the council’s part to not fund this attraction, it must bring in thousands of visitors who like us head to York especially for this festival, my
Husband and I will now look to go elsewhere for our festive weekend away, finding a city that offers exciting attractions. We love York and visit often and think this festival was a fantastic part of York’s Christmas, I think the council should definitely reconsider it’s decision for next year
My partner and I have been coming to York twice a year for many years now. I can’t tell you how disappointed and disgusted we were to find out that the ice angels would not be happening. We come over in July and December for our respective birthdays. The locals and taxi drivers told us that this was due to an interfering and overbearing city council (nothing new here). We were also informed of the “Huge” amount of money the city council had made with the Lendal bridge debacle. So quite why the council could not help with the festival, is beyond us. Surely the benefits to local businesses must be a priority to an impartial council, do these people not live in and around York, and can see the extra trade that the festival brings to the great city? Though I don’t think this will stop us visiting York’ we still can’t tell you along with hundreds, if not thousands of other people how disgusted we are. Merry Christmas York City councillors “NOT”!!!!!!!
Just checked up on the dates for this the night before travelling. We’ve already made all the arrangements to come down to York tomorrow, and I was bringing along a friend from the United States to see the ice sculptures – now we’ll go to Leeds instead. That’s the last time I visit York – what a Shambles.
Great disappointment at the short-sightedness of York City Council. My sister and I (overseas visitor) have been coming to York at this time of the year for the past 7 years and we were remarking today how empty York seemed to be, plus we couldn’t find any “angels”! Now we understand why = cancelled! Poor Christmas spirit indeed! We will be going elsewhere next year that’s for sure. Shame on you York City Council!
I’m disappointed the Festival of Angels didn’t run this year, but I must admit I’m disheartened with the way so many people are blaming York City Council for the festivals cancellation. I work in local government (not York, but elsewhere) so I know just how hard the sweeping governments cuts are biting; people supported the government push towards “local government efficiency”, yet the same people always seem surprised when libraries shut, children’s centres shut, front line services deteriorate, bin collections get less frequent, and cultural events disappear. Of course a cut in funding is going to mean a cut in spending, and a cut in spending means things will disappear or deteriorate. Half a million local authority workers (a sixth of headcount) have already lost their jobs (whilst central government staffing levels remain the same as ever, just FYI). Granted I’m bias, but I’d much rather the council protected people, both by protecting essential services, and by protecting jobs and livelihoods, then ice sculptures.
I’m surprised the local businesses didn’t do more to save the festival however; they, far more then the council, are the ones who benefit from it, both through the added footfall and the advertising they do when they sponsor an ice sculpture. They clearly made the same decision as the council, and deemed the costs outweighed the benefits.
Im very surprised to find out that the York Festival Og Angels has been cancelled, does’nt York council think about the LOST TRADE, not putting on this event has cost the city and the traders, they will be cancelling THE EBOR, next.
How disgusting . People from all over the country come to york to see this but the council will only support a market selling overpriced tat because presumably they get income from it. Pfft
When are York city council going to pull there finger out and invest in the city, the festival of angels is living proof, put something special on and the public will not disappoint, Look at the Christmas lights in York there pathetic no Christmas cheer there, in a city a great as York all the council have to do is invest in decent displays and advertise it, watch trade rise people will come far and wide , make York the best city in the country. Lets be honest there’s no reason why trade should be down in York, if you can’t sell York as the place to be then your in the wrong job. Yes i am York born and bread and very proud of our city, shame the council didn’t feel the same way
How sad. This was always our annual family trip out to York. We used to come with a group of around 10 every year from Leeds. What a shame….
I was travelling over to York especially to see the festival of Angels for the first time and very disappointed its been cancelled. I have now cancelled my trip to York and all of the money I had planned to spend will be going somewhere else! York council has made a poor decision here!
Terrible shame – dont they realise how short sighted this is?? People wont come into York!!
#gutted
Really disappointed Festival of Angels not going ahead this year. Yet another poor decision by York Council. Will they also choose to ignore public opinion for next year? Not one comment here supports loss of the festival.
York is gradually losing its Xmas time charm. But fitting in nicely with the Yuletide Scrooge theme!
This has been in my diary since last Christmas when I sadly missed it and I have been looking forward to taking my 5 year old to see it for a few weeks now and having a lovely christmassy shopping day with food, mulled drinks and Christmas markets etc. I’ve just gone on to the website to check I had the correct dates and I am hugely disappointed to see that it has been cancelled. I’ll stay in Leeds now as it has all the shops I need. Would love to see it next year if if can be made to happen. How very disapponting York!
I remember taking my son then my grandson to this years ago. I loved going to see the statues its a real shame. My family from up north would come up for the weekend and stay to see this most years. Its down right disgusting that the council will not help.
I am absolutely devastated that the festival has been cancelled this year. You might think that an overstatement but my family and I have been coming every year for the last few years and it has become a tradition – we know that Christmas is not far away when we have been. There’s something about the music playing loud in the streets, the fresh candy floss and the bubbles of snow that land all over your clothes and melt into your hair when you walk into a shop. I have been getting gradually more excited over the past few weeks as I thought it was fast approaching, however now there is no reason for me to visit York at all, a situation which I feel will be repeatable with many families. The council are making a huge mistake – think how many cars would have had to pay to park over the festival weekend! Surely that alone would go some way to covering costs. I am hugely disappointed about this, and feel bad for the traders who were willing to take part because they will not receive nearly as much business as they did last year. What a shame.
What a crying shame! We’ve enjoyed this festival with our children for many years now, it’s always been the start of our Christmas. Very sad to see it go.
Shambles. That sums up the council !!!!
A real shame it’s cancelled.
Really disappointed always look forward to this event where a lot of friends meet up for a fun filled day 🙁
The Festival Of Angels has been the only event to get me into the Christmas mood for the past few years – what now? York Council have messed up here but so have the businesses that have decided not to do it without the council. I would have thought their sales from previous years will not be matched this year (shortsighted)
I hope the Festival is back next year!
Love coming to see the ice angels with our children at christmas time,my girls really enjoy it and have done for many years.York council – you should be ashamed at not supporting a well loved and hugely popular event, which will bring thousands of extra pounds into your city!! If the local businesses can put the effort in so should you !!
Disgusting!!!
I am so disappointed! This festival has always been one of the highlights of the festive season for me and we always invited friends to come and stay for the weekend to come into town to enjoy it with us. Such a shame!
So, no firework displays anymore, despite the Guy Fawkes connection, paltry Christmas lights and now no festival of angels. Here’s an idea for the council, let’s just take ourselves out the guide books and not bother trying to attract the tourism trade anymore. And I assume I can have a council tax reduction?…
Just done a search to check out the dates as love coming to this and was going to make it a full and fun day out for the kids by coming on train from leeds . Loved coming and always an amazing event. Shame on you York . Missed a trick here. Loads of people come and have a great time and I love meandering round the shops as I go .
I live in London. I was going to come to York this Christmas with my son and wife to see the ice sculpture and go shopping -now I’m not .
Really really disappointed in this news we absolutely love coming to york for this event,like everyone else was just going to plan a stay over to enjoy this break and good fun.
the council should be disappointed in themselves for not helping with this,it’s for a good cause an the memory’s for children and people this is really bad news.I hope something can sorted soon so the festival spirt can live on!!!!
What a shame we have been coming for years to see the festival of angles, shame on your council for not continuing to support this event. I Would imagine that the city will lose a considerable amount of money by not supporting this excellent event.
Very disappointed the festival has been cancelled. Perhaps the illuminating festival should have been cancelled instead, as it was a huge disappointment this year! Hardly any attractions! A very poor show for York! And now with the Festival of Angels being cancelled, looks like York is really going down hill. Like others, we now won’t bother to visit and instead will go to one of the countries larger Christmas markets! Such a shame the magical charm of York is going!
Really disappointed never been able to make it before and was so looking forward to taking my family just sent the link to family members to have then send another saying it’s cancelled really really disappointed think the council should change there minds quick sharp. .:-(
In total agreement with Deb, will not be coming to York to stay now the festival is not going ahead.
Will go to Edinburgh instead where the council make more of an effort to encourage visitors.
Just googled to find out when this festival was on, only to be really disappointed that it’s been cancelled!
Shame on York council for not supporting such an individual type of festival. I hope they are happy as now we’ll be going somewhere other than York so they’ll loose even more
I’ve just googled York Ice Festival to plan a trip to the city. We have really enjoyed this in the past and it gave a special reason for visiting York. No plans to come now – we can go to a larger Christmas market closer to home. Such a shame, but always felt it was a big ask of local traders to manage it themselves.
What a real shame!!
I remember the festival starting years ago, businesses in the quarter got together to create it, a great community idea! Why does York Council have such a big say now?
At York360 we have already (in October) had many confused emails asking us if this years festival is going ahead. These potential tourists may now not be coming to York at all.
We hope it will return!
What a pity the Festival of Angels has been cancel’d, My family and I have been coming to York Every year for the past 17 years, Sometimes 2 or 3 times. The Festival of Angels Was a must, this year we were going to bring some friends and their Children. And to say that the Business quarter around Swinegate enefited the most I think is not strictly accurate. We stay in a Travellodge eat locally, shop in the markets and have been round the attractions on numerous occasions with various friends and family. We Love York, but councils should support what the visitors want. After all we do bring in the money.
A Disappointed Punter.
Undoubtedly this is a shame. Council budgets are dropping through the floor, but I’ve been critical of the tens of thousands of pounds that some festivals get while others are left to struggle. We lost York Comedy Festival because the Council refused to foster it, the Literature Festival looked unsteady but has now got funding to continue, and now the Festival of Angels is cancelled. The Council has chosen to back some festivals but not others, which is a shame, but ultimately the cuts to public services are coming from the Government.