Bognor's Rox festival postponed until autumn

The organisers of the free event have cancelled its original date of July 24 and 25 with just six weeks to go.

They have shifted the popular occasion to September 18 and 19. The festival will remain on Bognor seafront.

The decision has been made because of the uncertainty which surrounds the intended location of the Royal Norfolk Hotel. The hotel has stayed shut since February 28.

Attempts to sell it are still under way but it is unknown when it will reopen.

A Rox spokesman said: "We are moving the festival due to circumstances beyond our control. We have not taken this decision lightly.

"Throwing a free community party for 30,000 people is a huge responsibility.

"We apologise to the many people involved who may need to change their plans, but we know this is the right thing to do for our anniversary Rox celebrations."

Rox started in 1990 and was traditionally staged on The Esplanade in front of the pier.

But a change was enforced after the 2001 event as the number of acts and spectators grew spectacularly.

After a period at Fontwell Park racecourse, as well as Bognor FC, Rox went back to the pier area in 2007 before it began to be staged in the grounds of the Royal Norfolk Hotel the next year.

Both that event and last year's occasion went successfully to prompt a planned return this summer.

A revised licence application has been submitted to Arun District Council to enable Rox to go ahead on its new dates.

The spokesman said 'close and constructive' dialogue about the matter had been held with the council and the police.

The festival will remain on Bognor seafront but the exact location has not been revealed as talks are ongoing.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP