Mela festival facing funding axe

Oldham Mela in Alexandra Park: tense wait over funding

OLDHAM Mela is battling to survive following the news its council funding could be cut

The event, in Alexandra Park, has grown in popularity and attracts tens of thousands of fans every year from a wide area.

Organiser Shaehzad Chaudry fears for the event following a council letter saying its grant will be scrutinised against other worthy events; he won’t receive a decision until March.

Mr Chaudry said: “I think we are being treated a bit unfairly and I want direction. I’m a young person coming here fighting for a successful event and I feel like we are being punished for our success.

“I keep getting told the Mela is commercially-driven and that it can self-sustain itself. But we still need backing from the council to be successful.”

Zaiem Khan, town manager, said: “Each festival that gets funding from the council has told about putting forward a case based on certain criteria. All festival organisers had the same response and are working towards the same timetable. All festivals will be treated the same way.”