GuilFest Future Bleak as Company Ceases Trading

Published on: 24 Sep, 2012
Updated on: 27 Sep, 2012

The future of GuilFest is in doubt after the news that the company that runs it has stopped trading.

The crowd at GuilFest in July 2012. Picture by Mike Ellis.

Numbers were down this year at the annual three-day music festival in Stoke Park, Guildford, with the organisers blaming the poor weather and competition from other festivals.

Now the company behind it, Scotty Events Ltd, has stated that GuilFest has ceased to trade due to poor ticket sales.

Guildford man Tony Scott founded the festival 21 years ago as the Guildford Folk & Blues Festival. Stoke Park has been the chosen venue every year apart from one when it was held at Loseley Park.

In a statement Tony Scott said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to organise GuilFest and see it evolve into the renowned festival it has become.”

It is believed that ongoing matters are in the hands of insolvency practitioner Leigh Adams LLP.

Many music lovers will be shocked to hear the news and be saddened that this year’s festival will be the last organised by Mr Scott and his team.

From 1992 to 1994 it was a one day event. In 1995 it became a two day event with onsite camping and was moved to Loseley Park. GuilFest returned to Stoke Park in 1996 and became a three day festival in 1997.

In 2006 GuilFest was awarded the title of Best Family Festival in the UK Festival awards.

At this year’s festival Surrey Police made 20 arrests, down from 36 in 2011.

Artists who have appeared at GuilFest over the years have been wide ranging in the musical style and fame.

A cross section of different well known acts who have graced the GuilFest stages include Roger Daltrey of the Who, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Status Quo, Van Morrison, Madness, Lonnie Donegan, Olly Murs, N-Dubz, Blondie, Alice Cooper, Jools Holland, the Human League, Rolf Harris and Lulu – the list goes on. And not to forget the many up and coming and locally based singers and bands who played there.

What do you think? Are you sad to hear this news or it it simply the laws of supply and demand at work? Perhaps you would be glad if GuilFest does not return? Please leave your comment below using the ‘Leave a Reply’ feature. Only comments where full names are given will be published.

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