ORGANISERS of the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza fear next year’s event may not take place following a drastic shortfall in support from local businesses.
Of 1,000 shops, restaurants, guesthouses, hotels and other businesses contacted to help finance the three-day celebration, only 45 have come forward.
Committee member Paul Williams was disheartened by the response.
He said: “As always the Extravaganza depends very much on local businesses becoming involved. The only things which fund the Extravaganza are programme sales and advertising. On previous years we found it quite hard to get local businesses on board - these are people who benefit from the amount of people who come in to the town.
“We are not going to make ends meet this year.”
According to Mr Williams, the Victorian Extravaganza brings in a minimum of £15 million to the local economy as hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Llandudno.
He added: “There is a popular misconception the Extravaganza is partially organised and supported financially by Conwy County Borough Council - it’s not.
“The cost of everything goes up year on year so we need more and more sponsors each year. The general opinion is [businesses] aren't not going to support it because they cant afford it because of the recession. People can donate £25 as a gesture.”
Businesses in the town who have taken out adverts in this year's programme confirmed they always saw a boost in sales over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Rita Stuart from The Albert pub on Madoc Street said: “If you support it you’re going to get it back year after year. If you take the attitude it’ll come back if you don’t, you'll miss it when it’s gone.
“It’s a busy weekend but it’s a fun one. It brings a lot of fresh faces into the town and brings a lot of regulars back.”
Manager of the Hambone delicatessens located throughout the town, Martin Ainsworth, said he was a strong supporter of the Extravaganza, and enjoyed “doing his bit” by providing food for the volunteers.
He said: “It’s a good boost for the business and a good boost for Llandudno as well. Sadly not everyone makes the effort - they take the money but are not giving anything back.
“Next year is the 25 anniversary - it’s so important to get it great. If we don't have the Extravaganza the town will lose a lot of money.
“No hotels complain because they are full. I know some do support the Extravaganza but a lot could contribute more.”
If you would like to support the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza, visit the website at www.victorian-extravaganza.co.uk for more information.
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