BRADFORD Council says it will "have to look at the viability" of running Bingley Music Live if the event does not break even this year.

However, a "superb line-up" for this September's three-day showpiece has seen ticket sales "rocket to record levels."

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the Council, has questioned the amount of money the local authority puts up to run the prestigious music event at Myrtle Park, Bingley.

Raising her concerns during the latest meeting of the Council’s corporate overview and scrutiny committee, Cllr Sunderland said the Council had subsidised Bingley Music Live by £200,000 this year, and asked: "How long can it go on?"

Steve Hartley, the Council’s strategic director - place, said: "Not very long. If it doesn't break even this year, then we will have to look at the viability of the Council running this event."

However, he pointed out that ticket sales were looking promising ahead of this year’s event, which will feature the Manic Street Preachers and Kaiser Chiefs.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Sunderland said: “We need to have a look at it. The issue is that if we continue to subsidise quite a lot of events like Bingley Music Live, when we are cutting services to people with disabilities and older people to the bone, can we continue to cost these subsidies? When we are struggling, is it the right thing? This is the biggest amount of money we are paying out."

Also speaking after the meeting, Mr Hartley said: “Bingley Music Live is a fantastic event enjoyed by around 15,000 people every year. People come to Bingley from across the country and it brings great benefits to the local economy. The net cost varies from year to year between £60,000 to £200,0000 dependent on attendance. The superb line-up this year has seen ticket sales rocket to record levels and it’s looking as though it will be the best yet. We’re not actively looking for a private company to run the event in future but are always interested in how we can work in partnership with others to deliver great events across the district.”

Tickets for the event, on September 1, 2 and 3, can be bought at bingleymusiclive.com. Adult day tickets are also available at Bingley Pool and Bradford and Saltaire Visitor Information Centres.

MORE TOP STORIES