A mobile bar zone which helped alleviate pressure and congestion in Appleby town centre during last year’s horse fair will not be in operation this year.
The Travelling Man mobile bar area, run by Wannasee Ltd — better known for organising tribute band festivals — won praise in the Appleby Fair 2023 Learning Lessons Report and Action Plan.
By the Saturday, the temporary bars (Travelling Man) proved to be really popular, the report said. “In total, these temporary bars had around 2,000 people attending, which alleviated some of the pressure and congestion in Appleby, by having an event out of the town centre.
“Overall, various communities and agencies alike have viewed the Travelling Man Festival as a success due to the reduced congestion in the town centre,” the report added.
However, in a statement released this week, Alex Hutchison, operations director at Wannasee Ltd, said: “The current condition of the festival and event market in the UK is widely reported as challenging, with the industry calling for support from the central government.
“Unfortunately, due to the wider position of the market, we have been forced to re-evaluate the business focus in 2024.
“This means that, despite great support, we will be unable to deliver the Travelling Man bar at Appleby horse fair in 2024.”
However, the Wannasee Ltd board has indicated that it still intends to provide the Travelling Man bar at future fairs.
Mr Hutchinson added: “Despite this temporary set-back during a turbulent economic period, we remain fully committed to the long-term future of this concept and will work with the authorities to ensure that the Travelling Man bar is back at Appleby horse fair, bigger and better than before, in 2025.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s director of thriving communities and chair of the multi agency strategic co-ordinating group (MASCG) for Appleby horse fair, Steph Cordon, said: “Whilst it’s obviously disappointing that the Travelling Man bar won’t be at this year’s fair, I’m pleased that Wannasee Ltd have committed to returning next year and we look forward to working with them to ensure that this happens.”
A public meeting to provide an update on the arrangements for this year’s Appleby horse fair — which starts on 6th June — is to be held on Wednesday, 15th May, in the public hall in Appleby from 7pm to 8-30pm.
Speakers will include Ms Cordon and chief superintendent Daniel St Quintin, Appleby horse fair gold commander.
