Call for Mega Mela to go ahead

Councillor Farooq Ahmed has called on the Council to resolve their differences with Mega Mela festival organisers and secure the future of the festival.

Organisers are due to meet with council bosses this week in a bid to resolve the dispute, which saw the council demand a deposit which organisers say they cannot not afford. The festival has been running for 14-years in Rochdale and attracted over 7,000 visitors last year.

“We shouldn’t be losing this festival,” he said. “It’s good for Rochdale and it’s good for all our communities.”

Councillor Ahmed added that traders had registered their disappointment to him that the Mega Mela was not going ahead this year and that he hoped the success of the Feel Good Festival would make council bosses re-think their position on supporting the Mela.

“I was disappointed that the Feel Good Festival was cut back to two days and we had to fight to make sure this happened,” he said. “Festivals put Rochdale in the shop window and show the positive things that are happening in our town. They attract business interest and encourage people to invest in Rochdale. I’ve yet to hear one sensible argument against holding the Mega Mela. It’s really important that we maintain our support for the Mela and not let it move elsewhere.”