Public events across Horsham District cancelled for 2020

Horsham District Council would like to take this opportunity to manage any expectations regarding the prospects for organised public events in our town centres during the rest of 2020.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis the Council announced that, in line with UK Government and Public Health England guidelines, all town centre events or activities that would encourage the gathering of large groups of people were being suspended until the end of June, and that this situation would be kept under review.

It would now seem apparent that permission for a return to large organised social gatherings may well be one of the last types of activities to be granted.

Many of our events require a great deal of advance planning and organisation, and therefore we need a level of certainty about an event going live if valuable time, money and resources are not to be wasted.

Putting the safety and wellbeing of our residents and business communities first is all important for us as a council, so we now feel it is right to announce that there will be no events organised throughout Horsham District during the rest of 2020. All event partners are being informed of this decision accordingly.

Should circumstances change throughout the year this decision will be reviewed.

Looking to the future, the Council’s Economic Development team are now developing events which have shorter lead times so that, should the restrictions be lifted, they will be able to stage outdoor events for the benefit of the District’s residents, visitors and businesses within tighter deadlines.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Local Economy Cllr Paul Clarke commented:

“Our District is well known for its unique events which bring enjoyment to many and support our town centre businesses.

Whilst it is naturally really disappointing to have to cancel our 2020 events programme, we are pleased to be looking forward and planning potential events which we will be able to put in place quickly, should the coronavirus situation improve, and allow us to do so in as safe a manner as possible.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Local Economy Cllr Paul Clarke

The Council is also creating virtual adaptations of scheduled events in many instances on the Horsham Time Well Spent Facebook page, www.horsham.tv and other channels.

The cancellations apply to all events in the Horsham Time Well Spent programme, including all bandstand concerts and performances.

Horsham’s Saturday Markets will continue to provide essential produce and are now expanding their range of goods with a new layout, enabling crafts stalls in the Market Square, all within safety guidelines, alongside their successful online click & collect and home delivery options.

Resources are committed to continuing to work with local businesses, supporting them in the most effective ways possible, building their abilities to increase their revenue streams and service their customers safely.

Please email us at: businessdevelopment@horsham.gov.uk for further information.

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .