Feel Good Festival cut to weekend event

Photo: David Butterworth

Feel Good Event 2008

The proposed week-long Feel Good Festival has been chopped into a weekend affair following a row over funding.

Councillors were forced into a compromise because the original £100,000 cost of the week-long event was deemed to be too high. However, they have agreed that as well funding the £65,000 festival, they will spend a further £35,000 on other events to take place later this year.

The Feel Good Festival will now take place over the weekend of Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July.

Councillor William Hobhouse, Chairman of Rochdale Township said: "Township has agreed on a compromise between a £100,000 nine day festival and a £65,000 two day event.

"The decision, backed by all Township councillors, was made to show the Township's commitment to the regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre by spending £100,000 of Township money on events this year. £65,000 will be spent on the Feel Good event on 10–11 July, and the rest will be spent on other events later in the year."

The Feel Good event will continue the theme of last year, with a two day market featuring celebrity chefs.

There will also be musical events this year, on the Saturday from 5–9pm, with a main outdoor stage on the Town Hall Car Park.