MP hits out at beer-fest axe

BLAST . . . Woolas

A furious MP claims Oldham Council has priced the borough’s popular beer festival out of business.

Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, is demanding answers under the Freedom of Information Act to issues regarding charges, bookings and hire of the Queen Elizabeth Hall venue.

He said: “I read the council’s statement to terminate the use of the hall for the beer festival with rank astonishment and disbelief.

“They say the festival made a profit of £6,000 last year but claimed it costs them £12,000 to stage the event, so to charge Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) volunteers £8,500 for organising it is frankly ludicrous.

“These volunteers give up a week of their time to raise money for local charities. They cannot be expected to run the event at a loss of £2,500.”

He claims remarks by the council’s deputy leader, Councillor Jackie Stanton, offering a reduction in costs to stage the festival do not add up.

Mr Woolas added: “They wanted £8,500 — which is not half-way between free use and the claimed costs of £12,000. Even if Councillor Stanton was offering to only charge £6,000 for the hall, the profit for the charity appeal would be nil. It shows a lack of care for local charities who benefit from this event.

“There is no way festival volunteers are going raise £8,500 for the council’s coffers rather than local charities. The council’s intransigence will end the 23-year tradition of the festival and gain them nothing.”

Mike Robinson, of CAMRA, said: “We organised the festival in premises owned by the council and provided to the Mayor’s Appeal Committee by them free of charge.

“CAMRA does not book the premises itself and any discussions on the cost of the hall are between the council and the Mayor’s Appeal Committee.”

Councillor Stanton said: “It is regrettable beer festival organisers have withdrawn but our primary concern has to be that the Mayor’s chosen charities do not end up out of pocket.

“The Mayor is now being allowed to use the hall for a new showcase charity event. We look forward to working with him on his plans to maximise these special causes whose work is absolutely invaluable.”