Two York events – one imminent and one later in the summer – have been cancelled.
The York Literature Festival was due to start on Thursday (19 March) bringing headliners included Melvyn Bragg, Kirsty Wark and Kate Humble to the city.
But perhaps inevitably it is one of the latest victims of the government’s new measures to combat coronavirus.
Meanwhile summer favourite the Micklegate Soapbox Challenge is also off.
It was set to take place during the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Back later in the year
It will be incredibly disappointing for the organisers of the York Lit Fest who have worked so hard for a year to bring it together only to have to cancel at the eleventh hour.
But they are aiming to reschedule the event for later in the year.
In their statement, organisers said they had factored in the advice from Public Health England:
We have not taken this decision lightly, but on consideration of all these factors we feel this is the best course of action to protect the health of our artists, audiences, volunteers, venue staff, and everyone in our community.
The York Literature Festival events box office is managed through York Theatre Royal, who will shortly begin to contact all ticket holders regarding refunds.
Our festival director will be contacting artists soon to discuss the situation with them.
Meanwhile organisers of the Micklegate Soapbox Challenge said: “It is with regret that the Micklegate Run Soap Box Challenge 2020 will be cancelled.
“The event hopes to be back with a bang in 2021.”